BLM-Era Mental Health Reform: Are Police Officers at Greater Risk After Recent Sword Attack?

In the wake of the George Floyd tragedy and the subsequent Black Lives Matter demonstrations, Boston officials committed to a mental health-focused response model, designed to lessen police involvement in psychiatric emergencies. However, this approach faced renewed scrutiny on Saturday following an incident where a man experiencing a crisis allegedly stabbed a police officer.

The city’s hallmark response strategy is anchored by the Boston Emergency Services Team, or BEST, a collaboration that has been operational since 2011 according to Boston police. Yet, following the social unrest of 2020, city leaders sought to expand and amplify this model. By April 2021, Boston had rolled out a pilot program aimed specifically at boosting the involvement of mental health professionals while reducing police presence in crisis situations.

This policy shift was prominently in action during the events of Saturday.

On that day, police and investigators were dispatched to a brownstone on Hemenway Street, near the Northeastern University campus, following reports of a disturbance. It was there that a person was shot, and Boston Police officers sustained injuries, highlighting the complexities of such emergencies. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Police Commissioner Michael Cox said officers were called around 10:45 a.m. after a man reported that four armed people outside his apartment near Northeastern University wanted to harm him.

Officers could not find anyone matching that description but spoke with the caller through the door and then requested EMS and a mental health clinician, through the BEST program, after concluding he was in immediate need of psychiatric help.

According to Cox, EMS and the clinician spent roughly 35 to 45 minutes talking with the man from outside the apartment and trying to persuade him to come out for treatment.

Instead, police said, he suddenly emerged carrying a sword, stabbed a Boston officer in the arm and knocked the clinician to the ground.

“One or more officers fired a Taser and their firearm at the individual, bringing the person to a halt,” the commissioner said. “EMS immediately provided medical attention. Unfortunately, the person succumbed to the injuries.”

The person has not been immediately identified.

The officer stabbed was given a tourniquet on scene before being taken to the hospital. Several officers and two EMS clinicians were also taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden.

“Today serves as a reminder of the dangers inherent in this work and the sacrifice our members make every day. Members of Boston EMS show up to save lives — not to be assaulted. No one should face violence for simply doing their job,” Boston EMS said in a statement.

“Our thoughts are with our injured members, the Boston Police officers, and everyone affected by today’s incident.”

Boston Police are investigating.

Fox News Digital reached out to the police and mayor for comment.