Law enforcement officers and public safety professionals from across central Ohio gathered Friday afternoon at the Marysville Police Division to celebrate their graduation from Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Program training.
The program prepares first responders to better assist individuals experiencing mental health crises by focusing on communication, de-escalation, and connecting people with appropriate resources.
According to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, CIT training is designed to improve interactions between law enforcement and individuals experiencing mental illness or emotional distress. Officers are trained to recognize signs of mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and crisis situations.
Participants also learn about local mental health systems, available treatment options, and how to work collaboratively with healthcare providers and community organizations. The goal is to help first responders safely resolve crisis situations while directing individuals toward services and support whenever possible.
The program typically includes multiple days of classroom instruction combined with scenario-based exercises that allow officers to practice de-escalation techniques and crisis response strategies.
Deputy Kelly Chrisman with the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office shares his experience:
Those completing the training included:
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Jason Fishbaugh — Richwood Police Officer
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David Findley — Police Officer, Urbana Police Division
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Hunter Quick — Police Officer, Urbana Police Division
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Bayley Bocook — Police Officer, Plain City Division of Police
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Malachi Shelton — Trooper, Ohio State Highway Patrol
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Bailey Ramsey — Deputy Sheriff, Champaign County Sheriff’s Office
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Kelly Chrisman — Road Patrol Supervisor, Champaign County Sheriff’s Office
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Clay Cordial — Deputy Sheriff, Champaign County Sheriff’s Office
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Matthew Skinner — Deputy, Champaign County Sheriff’s Office
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Zachariah Reinhold — Deputy, Union County Sheriff’s Office
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Samuel Miller — Deputy, Union County Sheriff’s Office
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Alec Lowry — Deputy Sheriff, Union County Sheriff’s Office
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Westly McVety — Law Enforcement Officer, Russell’s Point Police Department
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Justin Louk — Trooper, Ohio State Highway Patrol
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David Larson — Probation Officer, Union County Common Pleas Court
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Laura Florentino — Probation Officer, Union County Common Pleas Court
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Aubrey Stephens — Registered Nurse, Memorial Hospital of Marysville
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Shannon Black Dotson — Public Safety Services Liaison, Dublin Police / Washington Township Fire Department / Syntero
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Tim Carpenter — Police Officer, Dublin Police
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Jack Bowman — Police Officer, Dublin Police
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Jon Hackney — Police Officer, Dublin Police
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Kirby Brandenburg — Officer, Richwood Police Department
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Grant Delas — Police Officer, Dublin Police Department
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Adam Drucker — Police Officer, Dublin Police
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Mark Gundelfinger — Police Officer, Dublin Police Department
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Connor Jones — Police Officer, Marysville Police Division
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Hayze Reeves — Police Officer, Marysville Police Division
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Long Huynh — Police Officer, Marysville Police Division
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John McKirahan — Senior Parole Officer, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections
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Alex Huff — Officer, North Lewisburg Police Department
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Amy Payne — Case Manager, Coleman Health Services
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Charlotte Snyder — Parole Officer, Adult Parole Authority
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Patrick Stolzenburg — Police Officer, Russell’s Point Police Department
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David Miller — Deputy, Union County Sheriff’s Office
CIT training continues to expand across Ohio as agencies recognize the importance of equipping officers with tools to respond to mental health crises safely and effectively. Supporters say the program strengthens partnerships between law enforcement, healthcare providers, and community organizations while improving outcomes for individuals in crisis.
