Police Training

The first group of trainees graduated from a newly formed Police Crisis Intervention Team Academy on Dec. 6. Lt. Doug Auldridge of the Ventura Police Department reported that within the following week, Ventura police had responded successfully to several calls using the methods learned in the academy to defuse a crisis involving a mentally ill or emotionally disturbed person.

Through the hard work of Dr. Michael Ferguson, psychiatrist for the Behavior Health Crisis Team, and other key leaders, the new academy was up and running in record time. Dr. Ferguson, along with Cmdr. Scott Whitney of the Oxnard police, Auldridge and Sgt. Mark Stadler and Cpl. Jack Richards of the Ventura police, deserve enormous credit for organizing the CIT academy. All were trained by the San Jose Police Academy, based on the Memphis Model. The Memphis Model was developed in large part by the NAMI Memphis family/client group, and has received nationwide acclaim for its effectiveness in crisis intervention.

Asst. Chief Pat Miller and the city of Ventura are to be commended for initiating police training that resulted in establishment of the academy. Others who deserve credit and thanks are Behavioral Health Director David Gudeman, Sheriff Bob Brooks, Neil Andrews, chair of the MHB, and city and county leaders.

Ventura NAMI clients and family members participated in a panel discussion and “voices exercise” that graphically demonstrated the impairment of a mental illness and a person’s inability to hear, understand and respond appropriately when in crisis.

The keen interest of the police and communication officers who filled the large room was heartening, and the compassion and understanding of the safety leaders was gratifying to clients and family members. All in all, it was an enormously beneficial collaboration of mental health officials, police, clients and family members. It is gratifying to know that the collaboration and training will continue into the future.

Lou Matthews

Board member, NAMI-Ventura County