Vancouver police offices scratched, kicked while helping man in mental health crisis

Two officers are nursing various injuries after the Vancouver Police Department says they were attacked while trying to help a father deal with his mentally ill son.

A statement from Sgt. Steve Addison says the officers were patrolling in downtown Vancouver Tuesday night when they were called to help the father, who told them he had just been assaulted by his 31 year old son.

The father said his son had stopped taking his medication and he led the constables to the man.

Addison says shortly after the officers realized the younger man needed medical attention, he attacked, repeatedly kicking the female officer and scratching the face of the male officer.

The suspect was arrested with assistance from other officers and Addison says the two constables were able to finish their shifts.

The man they arrested faces assault charges and will undergo a psychiatric assessment.