Officers Become Members of Crisis Intervention Team

Press Release:  June 2008

During a graduation ceremony on May 16, thirty six members of the local law enforcement

community joined the ranks of the prestigious Treasure Coast Crisis Intervention Team.

This was the fifth class to complete the 40 hour program that teaches officers how to respond to people experiencing a mental health crisis. During the intensive five day training, officers learned how to recognize signs of a mental illness and the techniques of how to talk people through a crisis situation, rather than using force.

Major Patrick Tighe from the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Department served as master of ceremonies for the graduation ceremony that was held in the chapel of the St. Lucie County Jail. Guest speakers were Dr. George Woodley from Department of Children and Families and Judge Cynthia Cox.

Law enforcement agencies from eight jurisdictions participated in the training and graduation. Indian River County Sheriff’s Office graduates included Deputies Kathryn Gibson, Lesley Matranga, Sergeant Steven Trapp and Dispatchers Paul L. Button, Sue Smith and Deborah White. Vero Beach Police Department was represented by Officers Brian Hesse, Darrell Rivers and Chris Roberts.

Graduates from the Port St. Lucie Police Department were Officers Peter Chunn, Christopher D’Angelo, Maria Degennaro, Michelle Goodwin and Ed Lewis. St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office graduates included Deputies Francisque Avril, Kasey Follbrecht, James Gettings, Matthew Gerdes, Sherri Grecco, Yulieth Ortiz, Deborah Pate and David Streeter. Sergeant Thomas Siegert and Detective Fred Wilson also completed the training.

Martin County Sheriff’s Office was represented by Deputies Katrina Christie and Fred Cooper and The Treasure Coast Forensic Treatment Center graduates included Officers Duane Bernhard , James Jiran and Captain Olivia Newton. New Horizons graduates were Barry Gatta, Sherrie Pace and Elizabeth Pernice.

Thanks to the collaborative efforts of New Horizons, local law enforcement agencies and advocacy groups, the Treasure Coast now has more than 150 officers who have been trained to handle mental health emergencies. For information about the Crisis Intervention Team and future classes, contact Susan Barnard at New Horizons 772-468-5600.