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Distraught man with knife in Roslindale supermarket demands cop shoot him; he doesn't

Boston Police report a detail officer managed to convince a man who walked into the Stop & Shop on American Legion Highway in Roslindale with a knife last night to drop the weapon and let EMTs take him to a local hospital.

Police say the incident began shortly before 8 p.m. when somebody called 911 with a report of a man with a knife making threats on Canterbury Street near Stella Road, in the area of American Legion Highway. Responding officers didn't find him, but a short while later, a detail cop at the Stop & Shop did:

The officer observed a silver knife in the man's hand and could clearly see that he appeared to be distraught. The detail officer approached the male and began to speak with him in an attempt to deescalate the situation as additional units arrived and began to secure the area while directing other civilians out of harm's way. As the officer continued to speak to the man, he began to repeatedly scream, "Just shoot me…..Go ahead, just shoot me……" to which the officer calmly replied numerous times, "We aren't going to shoot you - we just want to get you some help." On several occasions, the man raised the knife up to his neck or pointed directly into his stomach while threatening to hurt himself and others. The officer maintained distance and continued talking the man down from his frenzied state until he finally agreed to drop the weapon and turn himself over to Boston EMS who were now on scene. The subject was then secured and transported to an area hospital for treatment and evaluation

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Comments

Hooray for this officer. Good work.

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Thanks BPD!!!

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To find out how badly that incident could have turned out. Schizophrenic teenage boy, slightly built in statue, with a small screwdriver in his hand, was shot dead by a responding officer, who, after roughly 1 minute in the scene said 'I don't have time for this', shot him dead. He's been charged with murder.

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What's worse in that specific case is two other officers had the situation under control before Officer Fudd showed up.

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began to speak with him in an attempt to deescalate the situation

Exhibit A for why BPS is a cut above the national standard. GREAT POLICE WORK, kudos.

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I understand why the BPD and the Union might not want to wear cameras, but I think it would've been great if this had been caught on camera and posted to the internet to show the rest of the country how policing should be done. The only stories that end up "going viral" are just depressing. And without video, I expect the only place I'll ever hear about this story is on Universal Hub or a 5 second feel-good comment at the end of the local newscast.

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I was just thinking the same. It would've been a perfect opportunity for the body cam.

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Makes me remember a study I've recently read about indicating humans generally are smarter in New England than any other part of the country. Using the brain to rationalize, reason, and process situations at a higher level. I am proud of BPD!

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As someone born here, I can honestly say I hate those studies. Pitting one set of the population up to think they're better than other parts of the country is stupid in of itself.
Unless of course, you think we need more divisiveness right now, then preach it.

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Whoa, calm down. I didn't conduct and publish the study. I was just saying how this particular situation made me remember what the study said. Brains before brawn.

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Once again I find myself happily commending the Boston Police Department and its officers in demonstrating great restraint in not engaging in deadly force.
There have been incredible amount of cases, circumstances, situations and incidents in which Boston Police Officers could have use deadly force and as far as I'm concerned it would have been justifiable. Instead offices and this department has chosen to use the best equipment in their work attire and that they use their mouth. They use their words of the escalation.
I am very proud of you Police Department.

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Glad the poor guy didn't have a gun, though, or this could have been very different.

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been different but Boston Police have been restrained in use of lethal force against people carrying guns too. Credit where due.

If you haven't yet, watch Jeff Ross Roasts Criminals and then Jeff Ross Roasts Cops. It's on Comedy Central. He's the guy that hosts a lot of celebrity roasts. This work, these two hour-long bit are excellent and well worth your time. The cops he roasts are Boston Police.

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