The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, the Town of Leesburg Police Department and Loudoun County Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Developmental Services graduated 17 Oct. 5 from the first-ever Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training hosted in Loudoun County. The collaborative program joined the groups in an effort to allow mentally ill persons to receive necessary treatment to become stabilized and work toward recovery.

The program is designed to reduce the number of mentally ill persons in the criminal justice system and ultimately reduce the time that law enforcement officers spend on mental health related calls.

Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman helped to facilitate the training.

“A substantial number of our ADC population suffers from mental illness,” Chapman said. “Our collective goal is to preempt and assist people with mental illness before they enter into the criminal justice system. Having dispatchers and deputies specially trained in CIT will help us resolve potentially difficult situations from the very first call.” 

The training helped prepare law enforcement officers and emergency dispatchers to calmly and effectively communicate with citizens experiencing a behavioral crisis. Additionally, the training included intervention techniques for deputies or officers responding to scenes for a person who may be suicidal.

“Because police officers are often the first responders in these incidents, it is essential that they know how mental illnesses can alter people’s behaviors and perceptions,” said Leesburg Police Chief Joseph R. Price. “The trained CIT Officer will be skilled at de-escalating crises involving people with mental illness, while bringing an element of understanding and compassion to these difficult situations.”

The training included classroom instruction and role play exercises which enabled law enforcement a better understanding of the experience of living with serious mental illnesses. It was taught by Loudoun certified CIT Sheriff’s deputies, mental health professionals and other experts within the field. During the week-long training, students were introduced to medical, social, psychological and legal aspects associated with mental illness.

“The hope is CIT training assists law enforcement with recognizing mental health issues, learning active listening skills and verbal de-escalation techniques, and knowledge of community resources to be responsive to clients and family members. If individuals with mental health issues are able to access treatment, they can begin working towards recovery,” said Michelle Petruzzello, branch manager of Outpatient Services with Loudoun County Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Developmental Services.

Seven members of the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, including three dispatchers, participated in the training along with seven members of the Town of Leesburg Police Department.