2 St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Staff Named CIT Officers of the Year

Press release: November 2009

New Horizons of the Treasure Coast announced that the Florida/Treasure Coast Crisis Intervention Team Appreciation Breakfast was held on in Port St. Lucie on November 5, 2009.  Captain Don Kryak of the Port St. Lucie Police Department welcomed attendees and introduced guest speakers Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar and Public Defender Diamond Litty who each shared remarks on the success of the CIT training in which Treasure Coast Law Enforcement Officers participate. 

CIT Graduations are held quarterly at the Treasure Coast Public Safety Training Complex at Indian River State College and average 30 attendees from Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River County Agencies.  The primary goal of the 40 hour CIT training program is to have specially trained law enforcement officers to respond to individuals with a mental health crisis while ensuring safety for all. 

The purpose of the Appreciation Breakfast is to recognize outstanding crisis intervention performance in the field, and this year a team of two members of the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office received the Officer of the Year Awards.  Sergeant Adam Goodner and Deputy Neil Spector were recognized for handling a difficult situation in an exemplary manner resulting in a very positive outcome.  The awards were presented to these two very deserving individuals by a very proud St. Lucie County Sheriff Ken J. Mascara and Dr. George Woodley from the Department of Children and Families.

The breakfast and awards ceremony wrapped up with closing remarks by Nancy Swanson representing the St. Lucie County Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

For additional information on the Crisis Intervention Team and future classes contact Susan Barnard at New Horizons 772-468-5600.