The Cheyenne Police Department was recognized today by IACP (International Association of Chiefs of Police) for its participation and dedication to the One Mind Campaign, a national movement to improve police responses to persons affected by mental illnesses.
CPD pledged to train its officers in Mental Health First Aid classes as well as to increase the number of officers trained to respond to mental health crises. CPD is still the only law enforcement agency in Wyoming to sign this pledge. While the national pledge calls for agencies to have 20% of their officers trained as a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), 45% of CPD officers have undergone this 40-hour training. The training extensively prepares officers to respond to mental health calls for service including mood and thought disorders, personality disorders, PTSD, suicide and mental disabilities.
Throughout year, CPD policy regarding police response to those affected by mental illness has been updated and the department is looking to assign officers to Crisis Intervention Teams in the future. Furthermore, CPD has a clearly defined and sustainable partnership with two local community mental health organizations – Peak Wellness and Cheyenne Regional Medical Center Behavioral Health Services. Chief Kozak also recognized instructors who have played a vital role in the pledge and fulfilled the requirements for IACP recognition, Sergeant Joann Young, Detective Allison Baca, Detective Mike Fernandez, and Constant Marquer. These officers facilitate the campaign and their dedication to the the mental health of the community they serve is evident every day.
