Las Vegas police officer honored for his response to a person’s mental health crisis

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — A Las Vegas police officer received an award Thursday for the way he responded to a person experiencing a mental health crisis.

Resorts World Las Vegas hosted a Good Ticket ceremony in honor of Officer Richard Vala of the South Central Area Command.

According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Foundation, in January Vala responded to a young man who was found agitated and confused on the floor of a store.

Vala contacted the young man’s parents, who urged police to take their son to a hospital for medical attention. Vala arranged for the young man to be taken to the hospital by ambulance.

The young man’s father described to Vala his life-changing decision to help his son.

The Good Ticket program aims to highlight examples of compassion and humanity in policing.