Deputy Sheriff Nick Pinochi has been with the Carson City Sheriff's Office for 17 years. As a member of the Mobile Outreach Support Team, also known as MOST, he specializes in responding to crisis situations.

So when there is an incident that erupts like the one on

Tuesday, when Reno police officers responded to reports of an armed suicidal man, officers like Deputy Sheriff Pinochi can help do everything possible to de-escalate the situation before lethal or non-lethal devices are used.

"When everyone shows up, whether it's an armed truck or me in a cop car, it's to keep them safe so when they think this looks violent, this looks aggressive, it's like, no, everyone here is to help that guy," says Deputy Sheriff Pinochi.

The Sheriff says all officers in Carson City are trained to understand the signs of crisis and know the tactics that can be used. But...

"When these options fail, all officers are equipped with mechanisms and devices intended to not harm, but to gain access and control," says Sheriff Ken Furlong.

Those devices officers keep on their bodies include pepper spray, a baton, and a taser. Inside every Carson City Sheriff's deputy's vehicle is a rifle, a shotgun and a beanbag option. When it comes to choosing which device to use, it's determined by the behavior of the person the officers are trying to subdue and whether that person has a weapon.

"That person is going to dictate that level of force necessary," says Sheriff Furlong.

"The number one thing is officer safety," says Deputy Sheriff Pinochi. "The number two is let us end this safely and easily and get this person help."

The Sheriff says since the majority of crisis situations involve a person with mental health issues, a big part of the Mobile Outreach Support Team involves working to prevent incidents from even occurring by reaching out to members of the community with mental health issues and regularly checking in with them. The Reno Police Department also has a Mobile Outreach Support Team.