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Officers responding to a report of a man having a mental health emergency at a Heights Road garden apartment complex found him “very agitated,” Police Chief Jacqueline Luthcke said.
Resisting their initial suggestions that he go to a hospital, the 40-year-old resident went to a bedroom, returned with a knife and threatened to harm himself and them, Lutchke said.
The officers – using extensive training in de-escalation techniques and mental health awareness – convinced him to go quietly without injury to anyone, the chief said.
Neither a SWAT team nor negotiating unit was needed.
The man was taken into custody and transported by ambulance to New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus.
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