Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

WARWICK -- Twelve police officers from six Rhode Island communities were certified last week as crisis responder trainers.

The three-day program, created by the state Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals, aims to help officers to respond to incidents involving people with mental illnesses.

"We are attempting to minimize situations that have a potential to put law enforcement officers and others on-scene as first responders as well as the individual experiencing a mental health crisis in danger," MHRH Director Craig S. Stenning said in a statement.

The training focuses on role playing real-life scenarios, helping the officers to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental illness as well as understanding what individuals experience in a mental health crisis and the stigma associated with mental health conditions, Stenning said.

The certification allows officers to train others in their departments.

The officers certified were:

• Sergeants Daniel Barzykowski and Jason Jordon from Central Falls
• Lt. Robin Winslow and Officer Richard Pendola from Coventry
• Officer Thomas Aguiar from East Providence
• Officer John McRoberts from Lincoln
• Captains Mark Knott and Richard Ramsey and Detective Roland Coutu from West Warwick
• Sgt. Matthew Ryan and Officers Jamie Poone and Michael Villiard from Woonsocket

 Tags  Central Falls Coventry crisis responder East Providence Lincoln Warwick West Warwick Woonsocket

Comments

kathy said:

It's about time. I hope all police take this course. It is sorely needed. We have had too many unnecessary deaths due to the poor training of the police in this area. This needs to be done locally and nationally. This is a good start.

Link | March 11, 2009 5:01 PM
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NICOLE said:

regardless of whether or not officers have this training, when a mentally stable or instable person comes at an officer with a knife or any other weapon, they should protect themselves.

Link | March 11, 2009 9:18 PM
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