SALT LAKE CITY — In downtown Salt Lake City, a typical day for many residents and workers contrasts starkly with the daily encounters reported by police officers.
Assisting individuals grappling with mental health issues has evolved into a significant aspect of a police officer’s responsibilities in the area.
Officer Bridger Prince of the Salt Lake City police described the situation as “constant.”
Recently, body camera footage was released, showcasing an incident from the previous year where a man was found hanging off the edge of a parking garage at the intersection of North Temple and 400 West.
The officers who responded observed the man perched on the ledge of the parking garage, threatening to release his grip.
Recalling the tense moment, Prince expressed his certainty that the man was on the brink of taking a fatal plunge.
Prince, alongside two other officers, swiftly ascended to the top of the parking garage, realizing the urgency of the situation.
“In my mind, it was a matter of life or death. So, for me, the course of action was clear,” officer Ben Schriver recounted.
Upon reaching the man, just as they managed to grasp his arms, he relinquished his hold.
Describing the physical challenge, Prince emphasized, “If you have ever had to hold 200 pounds of dead weight, it is extremely difficult.”
The collective effort of the three officers was required to hoist the man to safety.
Reflecting on the incident, Schriver acknowledged that while such scenarios may seem commonplace, every call demands a resolute commitment to preventing loss of life.
Despite the potentially routine nature of these encounters, Schriver underscored the unwavering resolve to intervene and prevent tragedies.
The valor displayed by officers Prince, Schriver, and Dalton Hatch in rescuing the man earned them a prestigious medal, yet the true reward, they affirmed, was the tangible impact of their actions.
The profound sense of fulfillment derived from effecting positive change epitomizes the core motivation for many individuals pursuing a career in law enforcement.
For individuals grappling with suicidal thoughts or exhibiting warning signs, immediate help is available by calling, texting, or chatting with crisis counselors at 988, a service operational round-the-clock. Calls made to established crisis hotlines, such as the National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255, will also connect to crisis care professionals at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute.
Additional resources
- SafeUT: Access licensed crisis counselors via chat by downloading the app or calling 833-3SAFEUT (833-372-3388) for parents, students, and educators.
- SafeUT Frontline: First responders can engage in chat-based support with licensed crisis counselors at no cost through the app.
- SafeUTNG: National Guard members can avail themselves of chat services with licensed crisis counselors via the app.
- Utah Warm Line: For non-crisis situations requiring emotional support, call 1-833 SPEAKUT from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., seven days a week.
- The Huntsman Mental Health Institute: Offers a comprehensive range of programs encompassing suicide prevention, crisis intervention, therapy, and substance use recovery, among others.
- Utah Suicide Prevention Coalition: Aims to prevent suicide through education, resource provision, and cultural transformation regarding mental health and suicide.
Local Mental Health and Substance Use Authorities in Utah operate centers across the state, offering services like therapy, substance use treatment, support groups, and youth programs.