ELKIN — Nine area law enforcement officers completed a 40-hour training course that involved law enforcement working in partnership with the mental health system, consumers and families with the goal of diverting mental health consumers from the correctional system into appropriate treatment.

Surry County Deputy Jason White, Surry County Deputy David Stephens, Surry County Deputy Drew George, Surry County Deputy Ashley Doiel, Hugh Chatham Hospital Security Officer Darrell Blackburn, Statesville PD Officer Charles Kurfees, Statesville PD Officer Jamie Welborn, Statesville PD Officer Stanley Parker and Mooresville PD Officer Ron Chilton received their certification in crisis intervention. These nine graduates join 25 other law enforcement officers who are CIT graduates in the Crossroads Behavioral Healthcare area of Iredell, Surry and Yadkin counties.

This 40-hour training is patterned after the nationally renowned Memphis Tennessee Police Department Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) Program to provide specialized training to law enforcement officers responding to mental health crisis situations. This program encourages law enforcement agencies, mental health professionals and local community service agencies to work together to meet the special needs of people experiencing a mental health crisis.

The training was arranged through Crossroads in partnership with Forsyth County Mental Health Association and the Forsyth chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

“Crossroads is very pleased that our local law enforcement agencies have committed to have their officers trained in crisis intervention. Bringing this innovative program into our communities will benefit everyone. Our local law enforcement officers are often called to intervene in psychiatric crisis. CIT equips the officers with the skills and techniques needed to handle situations that can be volatile if not dealt with properly,” said Crossroads Chief Executive Officer David Swann. “I commend law enforcement agencies for making the commitment to send their officers to CIT and congratulate these nine new graduates. I look forward to seeing many more officers in our area graduate from this valuable course.”

The 40-hour training equips the officers with knowledge of major mental illnesses and develops an understanding of mental illness. Officers learn to recognize symptoms of common psychiatric disorders, respond to mental health crisis situations, and develop an understanding of the consumer in crisis.

The officers learn techniques for active listening and de-escalation, and how to access the various community resources and options for mental health consumers in crisis. During the training, officers practice and refine de-escalation skills with the guidance and feedback from skilled mental health professionals. As part of the course, the deputies worked directly with Crossroads staff to learn about the behavioral health services available to citizens.

“This is a win-win-win opportunity. Our law enforcement professionals add another tool to their resources that can help protect citizens and officers, through de-escalation techniques the officers’ and the citizens’ safety are more protected, and citizens in a mental health crisis are directed to appropriate care reducing impacts on our jail populations,” noted Swann.

Crossroads will continue to work with local law enforcement agencies in Iredell, Surry and Yadkin counties to provide this valuable training to all officers.