On Friday, 16 Pine Belt area law enforcement officers received recognition for their recent completion of CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) Training. CIT programs create connections between law enforcement, mental health providers, hospital emergency services and individuals with mental illness and their families, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Jamie Tedford, Chief Deputy of the Jones County Sheriff’s Department, spoke on the importance of the program at Friday’s graduation ceremony, which was held at the Lamar County Circuit Court.
“In all honesty, I probably could make a list of special remarks about CIT. It has changed the way we do things in Jones County. Not only for our deputies and officers but for our mental health community,” Tedford said.
Most notably, the program helps law enforcement officers to better identify people with mental health issues, diverting those particular individuals from jails and to mental health facilities.
Graduates from Friday’s ceremony included:
Lamar County Sheriff’s Office: Lieutenant Jason Alexander, Deputy Josh Crawford, Deputy Chip Estes, Deputy Michael Shannon
Hattiesburg Police Department: Officer LaShaunda Buckhalter, Officer Thomas Reid, Officer Thomas Robinson, Officer Robert Sikorski
Forrest County Sheriff’s Office: Investigator Matthew Findley, Deputy Tim Hartfield
Purvis Police Department: Officer Rob England, Officer Douglas Hyatt
Forrest General Hospital: Officer FaDarryle Dillon, Officer Jeromy Robb
Marion County Sheriff’s Office: Deputy Brent Sandifer, Deputy Tyler Creel