Behind the Badge
A man with a history of drug use and mental illness was coaxed to safety by a Westminster police officer after the man caused a civil disturbance and climbed onto the roof of a patio covering.
Officer Keith Phan responded to reports of a man causing a disturbance and breaking things inside his home at about 8:45 p.m. on July 20.
Family members told police the man had a history of mental illness and drug use, police said.
The man spoke little English, so Phan was called to the scene to assist.
When Phan arrived, the man was standing on a block wall in the backyard, holding a metal rod, police said.
Police reported the man was very agitated and banged the rod on the roof of a metal shed in his neighbor’s yard.
The man continued to yell, and climbed on top of his neighbor’s metal shed. He then climbed onto the roof of the patio covering in his neighbor’s yard.
Phan did not want to use non-lethal munitions to detain the man in fear the man would fall and injure himself, police said.
Phan eventually calmed the man down, and talked him off the roof of the patio covering.
The man was detained and taken to a nearby hospital, where he was placed on a mental health hold.
Phan was recently recognized by the Westminster Police Department for his efforts.
“Officer Keith Phan’s calm and professional demeanor was instrumental in coaxing this man down off of the roof, where he could be given the help he needed,” Sgt. Kevin MacCormick wrote in the commendation. “As a result, no citizens or officers were injured.”
