Just what ere the cops supposed to do...if no law was broken...their hands are tied...a psych interview would be more appropriate. Cops can’t take people into custody because he made/watched videos... The person must demonstrate in front of them that they are a danger to themselves or others...immediate danger. Cops follow law...get blamed...cops don’t follow law...get blamed...
We have friends who have a bipolar young relative, a college student, who sometimes stays with them during school vacation. They have had to call the police three times during her visits when she has had problems. The police in their Socal town have a special squad that deals with these complaints,if available. They are good at evaluating people and then arranging the temporary psych stay if they think it is necessary. Standard questions are asked about weapons and suicide etc. If there are written or spoken threats of suicide or violence to others..it always results in a trip the the ward and evaluation.
So far it has worked in this case..they get her meds sorted and she is back on the street. Without this handling however, things could go really bad. If this kid discussed anything like what his tape showed..he should have been taken in and evaluated and I think they could have searched his apartment for a gun.