Reno Police Department releases body camera video showing officers de-escalating a knife incident
By: -----
Reno, NV - The Reno Police Department (RPD) released body camera footage this week showing officers confronting a person armed with a knife in an incident that ended in an arrest rather than the use of deadly force.
At least two people have died this year due to use of force by Reno police officers.
Michael Johnson, 27, was shot and killed by police in February after running toward an officer with a large metal tow-style chain on Wells Avenue.
In August, body camera footage showed Anthony Porter, 22, being shot by police along Interstate 80 after he allegedly pointed a handgun at officers.
On Wednesday, the RPD released footage from an incident that did not end in the same way. Officers were able to speak with a person armed with a knife and de-escalate the situation before taking the person into custody.
Hunter Mercurio, the public information officer with RPD, said he wants this incident to highlight the fact that officers want to avoid lethal use of force whenever possible.
“You can hear in that video, the back and forth, start taking those pauses, having that empathy without jeopardizing your officer’s safety,” Mercurio said.
Mercurio said when someone’s life is at risk, it becomes necessary to consider a lethal option.
“If there’s somebody armed with a knife, or a gun, or a deadly weapon in general, we always have to have a lethal option,” Mercurio said.
Mercurio said that in situations like this, time is of the essence.
“When we can take that time, our discretionary time to slow things down, keep the situation safe and start creating that dialogue and having those conversations, that gives us more time to get more resources to the scene, less lethal like the 40 millimeter sponge rounds, taser, canine, having those less lethal options are really great, but we need that time to get those resources there so that we can deploy them appropriately,” Mercurio said.
Mercurio said if someone is struggling with their mental health, it’s important to reach out for help.
“If you’re struggling, start to call somebody, talk about what’s going on in your mind. Sometimes talking about those things takes the power out of it, and sometimes somebody can relate to you and just help build those relationships, those connections. We want to continue to see our community get healthier and healthier,” Mercurio said.
RPD says this case isn’t about officers “going soft,” but about giving them more tools than just a gun.