It started like many other calls for service of this
nature. The dispatcher reports a
suspicious person acting out in the 100 block of Walnut Ave. The
type of call you can go to a dozen times on any given shift.
When our officer arrived, he encounters Mr. Chase Desjardin acting
out and clearly under the influence of something. Mr. Desjardin is 21 years old and hails from Scotts Valley.
The challenge for the officer arriving on scene is to figure out what the
substance is and try to safely take him into custody. As backup arrives, it is time to take action. In this kind of case, the situation can go
sideways at any juncture. The problem
is, when suspects are under the influence, normal techniques don’t work, and
they can display unusual strength.
In this case, Mr. Desjardin decided to fight with the
officers because, as he reported, he was “seeing ghosts”. It took several officers to finally get Mr.
Desjardin safely into custody and into the back of the police car.
In the course of the fight a 4 year veteran officer was
injured. Initially, it was thought his ankle
was broken, but the latest x-rays are telling us it is a serious sprain. He will be off work while he recovers from
the injury.
Mr. Desjardin was taken to the hospital for observation
while he detoxed from whatever he was on.
He was eventually booked into jail.
So far this year, we have had 187 cases of suspects Resisting
Arrest. While those cases usually result
in some bumps and bruises to the officers, this year we have had 15 officers get
medical treatment and miss work because of injuries received from a suspect
fighting with them. Those injuries range
from concussions, sprains, tears, and breaks to stab wounds.
Just goes to show; no call is ever routine! Here is wishing our officer a speedy
recovery.
