SLCPD Peacefully Resolve a Domestic Violence Situation
SALT LAKE CITY — Recently, patrol officers with the Salt Lake City Police Department and Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) detectives peacefully resolve a dynamic and dangerous domestic violence situation.
SLCPD Chief Mike Brown released the following statement:
“The leadership and compassion demonstrated by our patrol officers and CIT detectives on this potentially deadly incident highlights our officers’ discipline, training, and skills to effectively and safely handle situations that involve a person in a mental health crisis. Our officers continue to receive advanced training to help keep people who are in crisis, their families, our community and our officers safe. I am very proud of their actions.”
This investigation started at 8:12 a.m. on January 10, 2023, when officers responded to the area of 1900 South 600 East after receiving several calls about a man, later identified as 28-year-old Austin Fizer, in a mental crisis, having delusions, and carrying a gun.
One of the 9-1-1 callers included a 72-year-old woman, the suspect’s grandmother. She gave dispatchers additional details about Fizer’s erratic behavior.
After officers and detectives arrived, a group of officers spoke with the grandmother and moved her to a safe location.
The situation rapidly developed when the man came outside holding a firearm while pointing it at neighboring homes.
The officers on scene tactically positioned themselves so they could surprise the man, catching him off guard, causing him to immediately drop his weapon and surrender peacefully.
Through the investigation, officers learned that the man had kicked in a door and damaged several more items that belonged to his grandmother.
Officers booked the man into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on charges of Criminal Mischief (DV related) and Possession of a Firearm by a Restricted Person.
This mission statement of the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Community Connection Team (CCT) and its Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) is to provide a safe environment for people to access individualized care, support, and appropriate community resources.
While every SLCPD officer is trained and certified in crisis intervention techniques, there is a squad of officers with specialized training who work alongside the CCT. The SLCPD CIT includes specially trained law enforcement officers trained with tactics to effectively deal with a situation involving a person experiencing a mental health crisis.
CIT officers have received additional training to assist in identifying characteristics of various mental disorders. Officers are trained to provide safer intervention for the person experiencing a mental health crisis, their family members, the community and the officers themselves.
The Salt Lake City Police Department reminds our community of the resources available to support survivors of domestic violence in Utah.
· Utah Department of Human Services: Domestic Violence Services
· Utah Domestic Violence Coalition
We encourage anyone who has experienced Domestic Violence to call us at 801-799-3000 and ask to speak with a Victim Advocate or call their 24-hour hotline directly at 801-580-7969. All services are free, and callers can get information anonymously.
Charges are only allegations, and every arrested person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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