For Law Enforcement Training

About Crisis Intervention Team Training

Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) programs are local initiatives designed to improve the way law enforcement and the community respond to people experiencing mental health crises. The CIT program is built on strong partnerships between law enforcement, mental health provider agencies and individuals and families affected by mental illness.

Nationwide statistics report 10% of the calls an officer goes on involves someone with a mental illness. Our specialized CIT Training includes crisis intervention with an emphasis on understanding mental illness and how to de-escalate crisis situations.

Topics covered include introductions to psychiatric illnesses, substance abuse, risk assessment, suicide prevention, tactical safety and children with emotional problems and mental illness. During the week, officers attend class, experience virtual hallucinations and receive actual experience in the community with social workers.

This patrol-oriented, 40-hour training course is provided annually at no cost to law enforcement personnel from Wayne and Holmes Counties, including police officers, sheriff deputies, parole, probation and correction officers and dispatchers. More than one hundred sixty law enforcement personnel throughout Wayne and Holmes Counties have taken this training since 2005. Funding is provided by support from NAMI Ohio, the Mental Health & Recovery Board of Wayne & Holmes Counties, our Walk for Mental Wellness, Commercial Savings Bank, and private donations.

NAMI Wayne and Holmes Counties CIT Advisory Council

Helen Walkerly, Executive Director and Chair

NAMI Wayne and Holmes Counties

Officer Joshua Miller

Wooster Police Department

Cindy Kuhl, Senior ADPO, MS, PCC-S

Wayne County Common Pleas Court

Betty Riggs, Assistant Director

911 and Dispatch Services

Wayne County Justice Center

David Williams, LSW, Chief Probation Officer

Holmes County Juvenile Court

Officer Justin Estill

Ohio State University Police Department, Wooster Campus

Gail Garrod, LISW, Director of Emergency Services

The Counseling Center

Sergeant Cory Seiler

Orrville Police Department

Chief Matt Shaner

Millersburg Police Department

Chief Bryon Meshew

Creston Police Department

Deputy Chris Schonauer

Holmes County Sheriff’s Office

Chief Matt Birkbeck

Orrville Police Department

Dawn Ross

NAMI Wayne and Holmes Counties

NAMI Wayne and Holmes Counties “CIT Officer of the Year” Winners

NAMI Wayne and Holmes Counties presents a CIT Officer of the Year Award for Wayne & Holmes Counties to a deserving patrolman who has completed the 40-hour CIT Training, and has demonstrated the values of the Crisis Intervention Team program.

The award is presented at the Annual Gathering of NAMI Wayne and Holmes Counties in August.

Nominations may be received from local police officers, social workers, case managers, or family members to nominate the CIT officer who has executed the mission of the CIT program, has used supportive law enforcement intervention in dealing with individuals affected by mental illness, and/or has performed a meritorious act related to the principals of CIT.

2012: Patrolman Kris Conwill, Wooster Police Department and Officer Chad P. Stanton of the Ohio State University Police Department, Wooster Campus

2013: Patrolman Justin Estill, Millersburg Police Department

2014: Patrolman Joshua Miller, Wooster Police Department

2015: Patrolman Jerome Fatzinger, Wooster Police Department

2016: Sergeant Cory Seiler, Orrville Police Department

2017: Patrolman John Ruggeri, Wooster Police Department

2018: Deputy Robert Ecker, Wayne County Sheriff's Office

2019: Officer Derek Miller, Rittman Police Department

2020: Officer Nathan Chrapowicki, Orrville Police Department

2021: Lieutenant Kevin Milburn, Doylestown Police Department

2012 Officer Chad P. Stanton of the Ohio State University Police Department, Wooster campus, left, and Kristopher Conwill, a former Sergeant with Wooster Police Department, received the Officer of the Year award in 2012.

2013 – Officer Justin Estill of Millersburg Police Department, received the CIT Officer of the Year Award in 2013. He is standing with Dave Williams, Chief Probation Officer, Holmes County Juvenile Court, who nominated him.

2014 - Officer Joshua Miller of Wooster Police Department, received the CIT Officer of the Year Award in 2014. Shown with Capt. Scott Rotolo.

2015 - Officer Jerome Fatzinger of Wooster Police Department, received the CIT Officer of the Year Award in 2015. Shown with Helen Walkerly of NAMI Wayne and Holmes County.

2016 - Officer Cory Seiler of Orrville Police Department, received the CIT Officer of the Year Award in 2016. Shown with Helen Walkerly of NAMI Wayne and Holmes County.

2017 - Officer John Ruggeri of Wooster Police Department, received the CIT Officer of the Year Award in 2017. Shown with Helen Walkerly of NAMI Wayne and Holmes County.

2018 CIT Officer of the year Robert Ecker

2018 - Deputy Robert Ecker of the Wayne County Sheriff's Office, received the CIT Officer of the Year award in 2018. Shown with Sheriff Travis Hutchinson.

2019 - Officer Derek Miller of the Rittman Police Department, received the CIT Officer of the Year award in 2019.

2020 - Officer Nathan Chrapowicki of the Orrville Police Department, received the CIT Officer of the Year award in 2020. Shown with Matt Birkbeck, Orrville Police Chief and Helen Walkerly, NAMI Wayne Holmes Executive Director.