Law enforcement officers trained as Crisis Intervention Team members

VCSO Deputy Evan Roux and Nevada Police Officer Patrick Deao received their specialized training for crisis intervention. Submitted photo

Two local law enforcement officers have completed an intensive week of training and have become the most recent members of the Nevada/ Vernon County Crisis Intervention Team.

Nevada Police Officer Patrick Deao was joined by Deputy Evan Roux of the Vernon County Sheriff's Office in a weeklong training session in Kansas City. Both officers successfully completed the course of instruction on March 28 and graduated from the Mid-America Crisis Intervention Team training program.

These new CIT Officers join an existing team of Nevada area law enforcement officers who were previously trained in CIT concepts and techniques. Both will become members of the CIT Coordinating Council consisting of several community partners focused on serving the entire area in a more efficient manner.

"I'm very pleased in the progress we are making in our CIT program," said Nevada Police Chief Graham Burnley. "These law enforcement professionals were trained in CIT techniques, which I believe is improving the level of competence in responding to a person in crisis. Without a doubt, CIT has led to great improvements in police response to mental health issues in our community."

The CIT Course is 40 hours of classroom and field training. The course includes instruction in overview of mental illness, medication management and identification; de-escalation techniques; steps to prevent suicide; family and consumer panels; site visits; and cultural diversity.

Upon graduation, the officers are awarded a special uniform insignia, which designates them as specially trained. This method of identification often helps alleviate anxiety on the part of the consumer and their family during a crisis situation.

For more information about CIT, contact Nevada Police Officer Patrick Deao at 417-448-5100.