Meltdown Response Plan – Madison Police
Department
LE Bulletin:
Brian I Guenthner | Mentally Disabled
DOB: May 19, 2005
Age: 20
Race: White
Diagnosis: X-LID 105 (Intellectual Disability, Atypical Behaviors- unwanted/uncontrollable thoughts and
actions, Aphasia- impaired communication)
Facility: BIG C&S - Assisted living facility 4813 Maher ave
Brian has two caregivers at all times: one who is with him and one who is 5 to 10 minutes away. A call to
911 indicates escalated behaviors have either become or have the potential to become dangerous.
Role of officer: Assist and protect caregiver(s)
DOs
-Use a gentle, calm voice. Speak softly and at average volume.
-Give space. Stay at least 4x your normal distance.
-Redirect with interests:
○ “Hi Brian, I hear you like police cars.”
○ “Want to see my car lights?”
○ “Would you like some water?”
-Stay at eye level if possible.
-Reduce stimulation – turn off sirens, radios, or bright lights.
-Use short, simple language at a slower pace. One step at a time.
-Wait for pauses in yelling before speaking.
-Reassure afterward: “You’re safe, Brian. It’s okay.”
DON’Ts
❌ Do not yell his name (“Hey Brian!”).
❌ Do not crowd him or get on its way to “block” his actions, this has potential to highly escalate
his aggression/anxiety
❌ Do not touch him (unless immediate danger).
❌ Do not argue, scold, or correct him.
❌ Do not ask “What’s wrong?” or demand explanations.
❌ Do not take insults personally.
❌ Do not point fingers or use aggressive body language.
❌ Do not force eye contact.
❌ Do not try to overpower the meltdown — focus on safety and calming.
Purpose
This plan is intended to guide Madison Police Officers in supporting Brian during a behavioral escalation
or meltdown. The goal is to ensure the safety of Brian, his caregivers, and responding officers while de-
escalating the situation with minimal stress.
A more detailed PowerPoint training with strategies, examples, and communication tips is available, and
we are happy to meet with your team anytime to review or answer questions.
We want to assist the development of a bulletin that will automatically pop up on police screens when a
call comes in on behalf of Brian, allowing officers to quickly understand his needs and respond in a safe,
effective, and supportive way.
Key Principles
● Gentle Voice, Calm Presence: Speak softly and calmly. Avoid shouting his name (e.g., “Hey
Brian!”).
● Build Trust Through Interest: Brian loves police cars and law enforcement. Redirect his focus
by mentioning them: “Hi Brian, I hear you like police cars. Do you want to see one?” He would
love to see your radio, belt or badge for example.
● Respect Space: Maintain extra physical space (about 4x normal distance). Never attempt to
restrain unless safety is at risk.
● No Touching: Do not place hands on Brian, even to comfort him, as it may be misinterpreted as
threatening.
● Let him see you: Avoid closing the door on him, especially to talk to the caregivers.
● Avoid Confrontation: Don’t argue, correct, or try to reason with him mid-meltdown. The focus
is on calming, not on problem-solving. Many times he won’t know what caused his anxiety or if
he does, he might now know how to express/translate his feelings/thoughts.
● No Demands/Questions – Do not ask “What’s wrong?” or demand compliance.
● Known Triggers: Crowds, loud noises, being bumped, and overstimulation. Something new may
also trigger him, and we may not always know the cause. It is important not to make the episode
worse by using triggering language or behaviors.
After a Meltdown
● Reassurance + redirection – Gentle phrases: “It’s okay Brian, you’re safe, want to watch dirt
bikes?”
● Transition – Caregiver takes the lead to move him back to familiar routines.
● Remember: the goal is safety and returning Brian to baseline, not resolving conflict in the
moment.