INDIANAPOLIS — IMPD felt like it was important to talk Friday after a standoff that happened Thursday night in the 7300 block of Saffron Drive.
The standoff lasted for hours and the person at the center of it refused to come out. Eventually, shots were fired inside, but police got the man out safely.
IMPD believes the incident was a result of a mental health crisis and although officers acknowledge those situations don't always turn out well, they said this one did.
Recently, the department launched a new division that will help officers deal with a mental health crisis. Still, there are family members that may be concerned about calling police if they believe a loved one is in crisis.
“It’s a dangerous situation, but ultimately we are not there to hurt anyone,” said IMPD Sgt. Matt Fortney. “We will keep them safe by staying on the perimeter. As long as they cooperate with us, we will safely get them to help that they need transported to the hospital or whatever kind of mental health assistance they need.”
This is an ongoing learning process for IMPD officers.
Fortney said the department is constantly looking to find ways to be better about how they handle these situations when mental health is concerned.