South Bend Police Department recognized for completing crisis intervention training

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Since the South Bend Police Department started tracking mental health metrics last year, it’s already responded to nearly 2000 calls for service.

Friday, dozens of officers and dispatchers from across the county are freshly trained to take on the increasing number of mental health calls after more than 40 first responders were recognized for completing crisis intervention team training.

40 first responders were recognized for completing crisis intervention team training.

"It teaches to slow down… to talk to people… it's going to take a little bit more time,” said Randall McMurray, a patrolman for SBPD.

McMurray, who was voted Officer of the Year this March, feels like he has another tool under his belt.

He went through the week-long crisis intervention team training that St. Joseph County began offering three years ago.

He said the 44 first responders graduating from the training Friday, are now better equipped to handle people struggling with mental illness, substance abuse, or developmental disabilities.

"We can use it every day... I use it every day out on patrol. It is a very useful skill to have,” added McMurray.

Leading those graduates through the 40-hour CIT certification was Casey Hof, who was named CIT officer of the year.

“Almost every day I go to work. I’m truly helping somebody even if it’s short term and then hopefully long-term trying to get them into services,” Hof added.

Hof says a lot has changed in her 13 years serving the community.
Including how the department understands mental health and works with facilitators across the country.

“We’re looking at all kinds of different calls. We go to a good majority of those calls domestic violence, disturbance, unwanted person. They really have underlined mental illness for many of them, so just knowing how to approach those,” added Hof.

Now, those trained officers are better able to connect those in need to better resources in the community like the new 24-hour Oak Lawn Crisis Center.

And the program has helped Hof find her passion in policing along the way.

Hoping to train as many officers as possible, now that the department is fully staffed.

“I just hope that we can continue this training train as many officers we can get our hands on and I’m just continue to make the community safe place for those with mental illness,” said Hof.

This year’s class was nearly double in size from the two years prior and they look forward to seeing it continue to grow.