Last week two Sheriff’s Office staff members completed the week-long crisis intervention training (CIT) in Montgomery.  According to Cherokee County Sheriff Jeff Shaver, Sheriff’s Office investigator Brent Snead and Corrections Officer Josh Parker spent the week participating in the innovative police based crisis intervention model with community, health care, and advocacy partnerships. Up to 40% of law enforcement work involves people in crisis and/or experiencing a mental illness, yet most officers who respond to these calls lack any specialized training or knowledge in how to respond to these calls. The CIT Program seeks to bridge the gap between law enforcement response and mental health care by forming a partnership with behavioral health professionals, consumers, their families and law enforcement. There are many benefits to the CIT training model, including:

-Increased safety for officers and citizens

-Serving as a catalyst for improved access to treatment

-Linkages to long-term treatment opportunities

-Reduction in incarcerations

-Collaboration between community organizations

-Professionalism and community confidence

-Decreased litigation and liability

Sheriff Shaver stated he believes this training is very important and this recent addition of graduates gives Cherokee County 4 CIT certified officers.  The National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) plays an active role in implementing the training and spear-headed its beginnings.