Meigs County Sheriff Keith Wood was one of the officers who recently graduated from the CIT training. Pictured are (from left) Dr. Dorothy Boston, Abbie Russell, Jennifer Holt, Andrea Weakly, Major Scott Trussell, Wood, Robin Harris, and Gallia County Sheriff Joe Browning
Taking part in the recent CIT training were (front row, left to right) Major Scott Trussell co-CIT coordinator — Meigs County Sheriff’s Office, Lieutenant Chris Pitchford — Middleport Police Department, Meigs County Sheriff Keith Wood, Corrections Officer/Deputy Andy Blank — Gallia County Sheriff’s Office; (second row) Chief Deputy Charlie Mansfield — Meigs County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Jim Stacey — Meigs County Sheriff Office, Deputy Josh Ridenour — Meigs County Sheriff’s Office; (third row) Chief Garry Freed — Syracuse Police Department, Correction Officer Josh Perry — Gallia County Sheriff’s Office, Sergeant Rick Patterson — Meigs County Sheriff’s Office.
RACINE — Over the past three years, 29 officers from Meigs and Gallia counties have taken part in the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training held in Meigs County.
The third class of CIT graduates recently completed the 40-hour course organized in conjunction with the Meigs County Family and Children First Council.
Since the first training was held in December 2011, the planning committee has worked to advance the trainings offered to the local officers.
This year 10 officers took part in the training. According to Andrea Weakly, Family and Children First Council Coordinator, all of the officers with the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office have now taken part in the training.
The CIT Youth training has also been offered in the county in February 2012, first training of its kind in the state of Ohio.
The week-long class was organized by the planning committee of Andrea Weakly, Meigs County FCFC Coordinator Co-CIT Coordinator; Major Scott Trussell, Co-CIT Coordinator; Nancy Hill, Meigs County Juvenille Court; Gallia County Sheriff Joe Browning; Robin Harris Deputy Director of GJMADMHS; Dr. Dorothy Boston, Woodland Centers; Abby Russell, Woodland Centers; Jennifer Holt Southern Local School District; Angie Harton and Margie Manley, NAMI Meigs.
Crisis Intervention Team Training began in Memphis, Tenn., and was brought to Ohio in 2001.
According to the CIT website, the CIT is made up of volunteer officers who are called upon to respond to crisis calls that present officers face-to-face with complex issues relating to mental illness. CIT officers also perform their regular duty assignment as patrol officers, in addition to serving as members of the CIT.
The CIT officers participate in specialized training under the instructional supervision of mental health providers, family advocates, and mental health consumer groups.
Speakers and presenters for the training included Detective Nathan Harvey, Gallia Sheriffs Office; Dr. Bobbi Reker-Dickason, Woodland Centers; Former Athens Sheriff Dave Redecker, Special Deputy Gallia Sheriffs Office; Dr. Roger Buck, Hocking College; Dr. Dorothy Boston, Woodland Centers; Reggie Robinson, Health Recovery Services; Dennis Martin, Gallia-Jackson-Meigs Alcohol Drug Addiction Mental Health Services (GJMADAMHS); Sheriff Joe Browning, Gallia Sheriffs Office; Chief Bruce Swift, Middleport Police Department; Assistant Chief Monty Wood, Middleport Police Department; Appalachian Behavioral Health Tour; Candice Walker and Megan Ihle, Meigs County Department of Job and Family Services; Major Scott Trussell, Meigs Sheriffs Office; Dave Mohler, NAMI Parent Advocacy Connection; Director Doug Lavendar, Meigs EMS and 911 Director; Abby Russell, Director of Children’s Programing Woodland Centers; Judge Scott Powell, Meigs Juvenile Court; Attorney Rick Hedges; Seargant Danny Leonard, Meigs Sheriffs Office; Pastor John Mollohan of Gallia County; and Mr. Fenton Taylor.
The training was held at the Racine Fire Department, with food for the training provided by the Eastern Local School District PTO with the help of Principal Jody Howard.
Following Friday’s training, the class was presented with certificates and pins for completing the course.
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