Loudoun County, VA (September 27, 2023) - The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce the graduation of 20 sworn and civilian employees of the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) and representatives from local, state, and federal agencies from the 55th Basic Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) program.
The purpose of the CIT program is to equip first responders and partner agencies with the necessary knowledge, skills, and strategies to effectively and compassionately respond to individuals experiencing acute emotional, psychological, or situational crises. The training aims to minimize harm, provide immediate support, and facilitate the path toward recovery, promoting the well-being and safety of the individual in crisis and the surrounding community. Crisis intervention training emphasizes de-escalation techniques, active listening, empathy, and culturally sensitive approaches to ensure that those in distress receive timely and appropriate assistance during their most vulnerable moments.
This CIT training program is a collaboration between the LCSO, Loudoun County Mental Health, Substance Abuse & Developmental Health Services (MHSADS); Friends of Loudoun Mental Health; the National Alliance on Mental Illness – Northern Virginia; and the Loudoun County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office.
This class of graduates included representatives of the LCSO, as well as the Department of Community Corrections, Leesburg Police Department, Loudoun County Animal Services, Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System, Loudoun County Fire Marshall’s Office, Loudoun County Mental Health, Substance Abuse & Developmental Health Services (MHSADS), and the Pentagon Force Protection Agency.
The week-long training program is taught by professionals from Loudoun MHSADS, certified CIT Sheriff’s Deputies, and other experts in the field. and includes a discussion of medical, social, psychological, and legal aspects associated with mental illness.
In 2019, the LCSO partnered with MHSADS and held the first-ever three-day advanced CIT training in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The LCSO was also the first law enforcement agency in Virginia to conduct Advanced Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) for School Resource Officers. This advanced training focuses on residents with Intellectual and developmental disabilities, especially children.
