On December 11, 2025, an incident involving local law enforcement raised significant concerns about police procedures in dealing with individuals experiencing mental health crises.
Officer Adam Lopez was working an off-duty assignment when he was alerted to a man believed to be having a mental health emergency. According to the reports, Lopez spoke with the man and decided to take him into custody, citing concerns that he might pose a danger to himself or others.
Lopez placed the man in a glass room, claiming he could monitor him visually. However, footage from his body-worn camera revealed that this was not the case, raising questions about his judgment during the situation. After about 30 minutes, Lopez requested to transport the man for emergency detention and conducted a search for weapons.
Officer Brianne Flores arrived to assist with the transport to Baptist Medical Center. While she took the man’s bag with her, she did not conduct a proper search of its contents. After arriving at the hospital, Flores removed the man’s handcuffs and allowed him to wait in the lobby with his unsearched bag.
It was later discovered by hospital security that the man’s bag contained a stolen firearm, which posed a serious risk to the safety of hospital staff and visitors. Suspension records indicated that Lopez failed to exercise sound judgment by leaving the man unattended for an extended period and by not properly searching him before allowing him to interact with others.
Both officers, Lopez and Flores, received a 30-day suspension as a consequence of the incident, with their suspensions beginning in July and ending in August. Officer Flores joined the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) in 2019, while Officer Lopez started his service in 2022.
This incident highlights the crucial need for police officers to have adequate training in handling mental health crises. Proper procedures are vital to ensure the safety of everyone involved, especially when dealing with vulnerable individuals.
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