Blue Ridge CIT honors public safety officers

Blue Ridge Crises Intervention Team, in partnership with Mental Health America of Augusta, honored three public safety officers last Thursday, Nov. 19, at the MHA-A annual awards dinner and silent auction.

The event was held at the Holiday Inn Staunton Conference Center and was the first time our local CIT Program has acknowledged the outstanding Crises Intervention skills utilized by law enforcement and other first responders in the performance of their duties.

Blue Ridge CIT comprises a training partnership between Valley Community Services Board, the cites of Staunton and Waynesboro as well as the counties of Augusta and Highland. Crises intervention training, which better equips law enforcement officers, dispatchers, Jail officers and other first responders with skills to deescalate, assess and resolve crises situations has been ongoing since 2010 with 396 individuals trained to date.

The awards presented last Thursday were for CIT trained individuals in their particular public safety roles, who exemplify the CIT approach to crises situations or those living with mental illness and who embody the CIT mindset in their daily work and support of its goals.

The 2015 awardees are:

CIT – Communications Officer of the Year – Jena Wolfe, Augusta Emergency Communications Center
As an experienced 911 communications officer with over 9 years of service, Senior Communicator Jena Wolfe uses CIT on virtually every call. Those that call 911 are nearly all experiencing a crises and she handles each one as if it is the most important call of the day. Distraught family members in a medical emergency, high intensity calls involving motor vehicle crashes, crimes in progress and yes, those trying or threatening to end their life. In addition, since taking the 40 hour course and TTT she has become a valuable part of our training team. Contributing many hours to the program while providing a window into the world of the dispatcher that helps us frame the course better for those serving in communications.

CIT – Jail Officer of the Year – Andrew McNorton, Middle River Regional Jail
Beginning his career at Middle River Regional jail in 2005 Andrew McNorton has had several different assignments, and a myriad of experiences, serving currently as a records specialist. He has been called to deal with some of the most difficult and unpleasant situations that can occur in a jail setting utilizing excellent CIT skills and unflappable professionalism to deescalate inmates who are in crises and reach appropriate dispositions within jail resources.  He completed CIT in 2013 and immediately asked to join the instructor cadre. Since completing CIT TTT he has been an invaluable member of our team in all facets of the program to include teaching, role playing, coaching and panel. Most importantly though he has been a constant proponent for the “CIT Way” and a mentor to others in his daily work, where undeniably, it counts the most.

*Andrew was also honored to be named the 2015 Virginia CIT Coalition’s CIT Correctional Officer of the Year.

CIT- Law Enforcement Officer of the Year – Sgt. David Shaw, Waynesboro Police Department
A 14 year veteran of the Waynesboro Police Department who serves as a shift commander, field training manager, Sgt. David Shaw is an outstanding leader and practitioner of CIT . He has demonstrated on numerous occasions his ability to deescalate and effectively communicate with persons in crises. Beyond this though, his judgement, demeanor and patience often set the conditions for successful interactions in very fluid and volatile law enforcement situations. An excellent example of this occurred this past April when a young woman, armed with a knife and threatening suicide ran from her apartment and police were called. Sgt. Shaw managed the response which was aided by the young woman’s flight being halted by a fence. Using excellent tactics that effected a safe containment he was able to engage her in a calm, non-threatening manner. His use of CIT was textbook and he executed play 1-3 flawlessly. Even though the young lady was non communicative she dropped the knife and moved away from it, thus deescalating a dangerous situation for all involved. She was subsequently taken into custody without incident and received appropriate care and treatment.