News & Information

CIT PRESS RELEASE:

     Sussex County conducted its first Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training from October 15th to October 19th.   A total of 14 class participants including local law enforcement and mental health treatment providers participated in the first course ever offered here in Sussex County and the 146th class offered state-wide.

     This 40-hour, five day training is comprised of classroom instruction, community site visits and practical exercises delivered by local mental health professionals, CIT law enforcement instructors and other subject matter experts. Police departments with CIT trained officers utilize these officers as the “go to” responders for crisis situations with individuals displaying symptoms of mental health.  Through collaborative community partnerships and intensive training, CIT improves tactical communication, identifies mental health resources for those in crisis and ensures officer and community safety.  The goal of the CIT training is to offer valuable knowledge about mental illness, developmental disabilities and even Alzheimer’s/Dementia, providing class participants with useful de-escalation techniques and knowledge of available Sussex County community resources.

     The training was spearheaded by the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office and implemented with the assistance of the CIT- NJ Center for Excellence and its’ Director, Ed Dobleman, Sussex County CIT Steering Committee and the Sussex CIT Community Coordinator, Andrea Romano, Superintendent of the Sussex County ESC in Sparta.   A special thank you is extended to Atlantic Health- Newton Medical Center, Bridgeway Rehabilitation Services in Newton, and Sussex County Sheriff Michael Strada and the correctional officers at Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility which participated as site visits for the CIT course.  SCPO would like to thank the following departments for attending:  Newton Police Department, Sparta Police Department, Franklin Police Department, Hardyston Police Department and Vernon Police Department.

     First established in 1988 in Memphis, CIT is now used by law enforcement agencies around the world. In New Jersey, it began in Camden County in 2008 and soon expanded across the State. Sussex County is the State’s 15th county to implement this training.  For more information about CIT, please visit www.cit-nj.org.

     Two additional trainings are currently scheduled for December of 2018 and March of 2019.  Prior registration is required. If you have any questions or would like to register, please contact Assistant Prosecutor Magdalen Czykier at mczykier@scpo.sussex.nj.us or by phone at 973-383-1570.