News from CIT International

	CIT International The Team News The Voice of CIT International Celebrating over 25 Years of CIT
	March 2015

Success Story

Election Results

Suicide by cop

VA Beach CIT

CIT in the News

DOJ Investigative Reports

Simple form eases process

Next Conference Chicago April 24-27 2016 Chicago IL

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SUCCESS STORY

Gaston (NC) Gazette

Mental health training offers skills, resources, compassion
By Lauren Baheri

** "...During the tours, one officer with Gastonia Police even ran into a woman he'd recommended for treatment. She thanked him for not sending her to jail and getting her help instead." **

Graduates of CIT Training, Gaston County, NC.

Photo by Lauren Bahari, Gazette

One officer said the session taught her empathy.

That's a lesson Sheriff Alan Cloninger wanted officers to learn.

"One of the things you've learned in this class is compassion," he told the graduating officers. "Though you may not realize it, you've seen a side of things you may not have seen, and it's given you an opportunity to be a little more sympathetic because you can understand it."

full story http://www.gastongazette.com/news/local/mental-health-training-offers-skills-resources-compassion-1.449216

We are pleased to announce results of CIT International Board of Directors Election as follows:

New board members:

Don Kamin, PhD

Director - Institute for Police, Mental Health & Community Collaboration, Rochester NY

Thomas von Hemert

Thomas Jefferson Area CIT Program Coordinator Charlottesville, VA

Results of Election of Officers to the Executive Committee are as follows:

Mike Woody President

Michele Saunders 1st Vice President

Jeff Lefton 2nd Vice President

William Lange Treasurer

Nick Margiotta Secretary

Note: Officers of the organization are elected by the Directors of the Board

Vice News reports:

So-Called 'Suicide by Cop' Cases Highlight Problematic Police Response to Mental Illness

By Alice Speri

March 14, 2015

'This is the worst part of their job, because they know this isn't a criminal, and that they're dealing with someone they shouldn't have to deal with. But the system has failed that person and the police department is stuck trying to figure something out.'

One of the biggest things is not rushing, taking time, and that is very, very contrary to police culture.'

https://news.vice.com/article/so-called-suicide-by-cop-cases-highlight-problematic-police-response-to-mental-illness

Resolution to honor Va. Beach Crisis Intervention Team

By Kathy Hieatt

The Virginian-Pilot

February 19, 2015

A resolution filed this week in the Virginia House of Delegates honors the Virginia Beach Crisis Intervention Team, which works to help people experiencing mental health emergencies...

[I]n Virginia Beach, the CIT program has become a successful community partnership that allows people with mental illness to be directed away from the judicial system to the health care system by well-trained and caring law-enforcement officers and emergency responders," the resolution says.

It goes on to say that the General Assembly commends the program "for its work to help people in mental health emergencies seek appropriate care as an alternative to punitive incarceration."

http://hamptonroads.com/2015/02/resolution-honor-va-beach-crisis-intervention-team