Morris, who is trained in crisis intervention, established a rapport with the man over the course of the two-hour ordeal.
Cross and Smith also had conversations with the man to calm him down and ease the tensions. “Morris used de-escalation from his training,” Hasty said. “If we rushed in he could have fallen or had severe injuries.”
The officers would have risked injuries themselves, the chief said. The fire department on standby. Hasty said the man “was concerned about going to jail although he did nothing criminally wrong. They showed compassion for the man. We don't always come to lock people up, but help them find the services they need.”
Hasty, who presented the officers certificates for their actions, said the man was taken to the hospital for evaluation. “We are having more officers trained in crisis intervention.”
Hasty, left, with Williams, center and Martin.
Hasty also recognized Captain Bobby Martin and Investigator Gorton Williams for their graduation from the Coastal Plain Law Enforcement Management Institute in Wilson.
