I just assumed he was having a meltdown.

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Saved some guy from a certain trip to jail & got a thank you and handshake from the attending RCMP constable.
Some kid (maybe 19-22?) was completely losing it front of a drug store, screaming at his phone, throwing his skateboard around etc - but not harming anyone. I stood by keeping an eye on him as people were leaving the store. He carried on freaking out for a while, then his day went from bad to worse as he missed another bus - even if he made it to the door, there was no way the drive was going to let him on the way he was losing it. When he calmed down a bit, I asked him what was going on and suggested he try to keep himself calm so no one would call the cops. Turns out he was going through some serious alcohol withdrawal and had just gotten out of detox and had spent hours outside in the rain trying to get ahold of a family member for a ride home. So, I told him if he could keep himself calm I'd give him a ride. We had just pulled out of the parking space when a cop pulled me over.. I told him to let me go talk to the cop, so I did. Let him know what was up, that I didn't know the guy, that there was no property damage or threat to others & that I told him he looked like he didn't need any more problems & could use some help instead. Cop ran my ID, checked w/ the store manager that everything was good, and then made sure the guy was ok. Another cop shows up so we fill her in - she offered to pat the guy down, but I told her he wasn't a threat to me or anyone even when he was freaking out. At this point the guy got ahold of someone on his phone for a ride & the cops decided they'd stay there at the store and wait with him and I was on my way. Cop #1 thanked me & shook my hand before I left.

I didn't realize it was alcohol withdrawal at first. I wondered if there might be some substance involved, or none & a mental health condition. I assumed the latter and just treated the guy as if he were having an autistic meltdown and it seemed to work out just fine. Mental note: I suppose it's a bit of an effective universal approach to dealing with people who completely lose all control of themselves, regardless of whether they just snap or they're going through some serious withdrawal.

I guess it was a little out of the ordinary as there probably aren't very many people out there that would stick around when some stranger is losing their s**t, never mind calm the guy down and offer him a ride, but it just seemed to be the right thing to do in the moment.

The RCMP is made up of really fine folks IMO. Lots of cops stateside would've dragged that poor dude to jail, detained you, torn apart your car, emptied both your wallets etc... Down here they consider any & all associations they can make irrefutable evidence of all remotely possible bad intentions simply because it's the profitable thing to do.

I've been in your shoes more times than I'd like to count for all sorts of bonkers reasons, what you describe was really good quick thinking.

I've never ever had a bad run in with a cop. Granted, almost all cops I've ever talked to are either RCMP or VPD, Delta PD, New Westminster PD, Abbotsford PD etc - all cops in Metro Vancouver. I also have a few friends that are in various law enforcement agencies/civilian police employees. Anyways, I've never ever been one to be nervous or anxious around police - ever - even when intoxicated. I've always been able to just have calm cool conversations with them & be on my way. I'm not quite sure what it is about me exactly, but cops seem to really relax around me. Their body language, facial expressions etc. Part of it might be just the culture of policing here vs. other places for sure, though.

I think most people here would get similar treatment from the police. You'd have to look and act like a pretty sketchy character to get them to want to detain/search you. Again, I'm not 100% sure what it is.. but cops tend to take an instant liking to me, we have a chat like we're friends, and part ways on go on about our lives w/o incident - every single time.

Could be multiple factors at play.. I'm tall, white, male, English speaking, clean cut, born here, and am told I'm quite articulate w/ my speech.. which equals zero red flags to make cops uneasy based on my own actions or their prejudices.

Good for you. I am glad it turned out well due to your intervention.

Wow that's awesome that you knew what to do and could help him.