KGMI News
by Tracy Ellis
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – You often hear stories about mentally ill people armed with knives being shot by police officers.
Bellingham Police used their training instead of their guns last weekend.
“We’ve always had that theory that time is on our side, and if we can get somebody talking and get things calmed down and give them time, then often times we can [have] a successful resolution,” said Lt. Danette Beckley, Bellingham Police spokesperson.
Officers encountered two people in separate incidents armed with knives, according to Beckley.
She said both were in crisis.
The officers used their tasers on both occasions.
The taser didn’t work in one of the cases, so officers grabbed and cuffed the armed individual instead.
Beckley said they hope both will get connected with needed services.