This morning (Nov. 17), the NOPD graduated the newest class of police officers trained in specialized de-escalation techniques known as Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training. CIT is a nationally recognized ‘best practices’ approach in recognizing and managing behavior that may be attributable to a mental health disorder. This is the fifth class to graduate from the training since the program launched in September 2015. More than 20 percent of all patrol officers have received CIT training since then.
Watch Video: Inside Crisis Intervention Team Training
“The NOPD is leading the nation in modernizing policing for the 21st century and reforming the way law enforcement officers police their communities, and CIT training is just one more example,” said NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison. “Police interactions with individuals in crisis can be uniquely dangerous situations for both officers and citizens. CIT training equips our officers with the tools they need to keep themselves safe and to get help to those who need it.”
Learn more: Six Ways the NOPD is Modernizing Policing for the 21st Century
CIT officers received 40 hours of specialized training from mental health experts focused on techniques and best practices for minimizing the use of force against individuals in crisis due to mental illness or a behavioral disorder. Training includes lectures from mental health experts as well as on-site visitation and exposure to mental health facilities, intensive interaction with individuals with a mental illness and scenario-based de-escalation skills training. CIT officers are then assigned to each police district to respond to and de-escalate mental health and other crises.
The following officers graduated from CIT training Thursday:
1. Nikia Adams
2. Tomeka Anderson
3. John Bakula
4. Nakeisha Barnes
5. Terry Bean
6. Randall Carstater
7. Corey Clark
8. Amy Gisleson
9. Valentino Grayman
10. Joseph Gueldner
11. Darren Hartman
12. Ron Howard
13. Patrick Kennelly
14. Alexis Martinovich
15. Robert Masters
16. Paul Micken
17. Tianne Morales
18. Tony Morris
19. Thaddeus Murray
20. Gabriel Osborne
21. Girod Peterson
22. Kenyatta Phillips
23. Amy Robinson
24. Keyana Rodney
25. Yolanda Romero
26. Sherman Skipper
27. Nahlisha Smith
28. James Vanderhorst
29. Amanda Williams
30. Kimberly Wilson