If you’ve noticed more law enforcement presence at USU Eastern over the past week, there’s no need to feel alarmed. Local law enforcement has been participating in the annual Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training hosted at USU Eastern with the criminal justice department.
The 40-hour training ran through April 30 to May 4. Officers from Carbon, Emery, Grand and San Juan counties attended the event. The course helps train officers in dealing with subjects who may be dealing with a crisis related to a mental health issue or a diagnosed mental illness.
Sergeant Kelly Maynes with the Price City Police Department is one of the officers heading the training.
“As police officers, we are the first responders in situations such as this,” Sergeant Maynes stated. “Training these officers not only how to deal with the situation, but also to recognize the signs and/or symptoms is key for a favorable outcome for all of those involved.”
On the last day of the course, a scenario training took place at the former Headstart building in Wellington. Many of the situations used are based off of actual events or calls departments throughout the state of Utah have responded to. Although many of the scenarios are not hands on, officers use the information and training they received from the course in real-life situations.
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- Photos and videos by Traci Bishop
