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Ventura County Crisis Intervention Team Announces 2017 “CIT Officer of the Year”
 Pictured above are those were nominated for this year’s CIT Officer of the Year Award (l-r) Deputy Justyn Czyrklis (VCSO- Thousand Oaks PD), Deputy David Mancini (VCSO- Fillmore PD), Deputy Greg Lindsay (VCSO- Camarillo PD), Corporal Dean Cole (Ventura PD), Officer Nora Starna (Port Hueneme PD), Officer Walter Harper (Santa Paula PD), Officer Gene Colato (Simi Valley PD). By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, January 31st, 2018
 Pictured are Deputy Greg Lindsay of the Camarillo Police Department (right) and Corporal Dean Cole of the Ventura Police Department, winners of the 2017 CIT Officer of the Year Award. The Ventura County Law Enforcement Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) is pleased to announce the 2017 “CIT Officer of the Year” recipients. The 2017 CIT Officer of the Year award was presented to Corporal Dean Cole of the Ventura Police Department and Deputy Greg Lindsay of the Camarillo Police Department. This is the first year that we have had co-selections as CIT Officer of the Year. Dean is a Field Training Officer, a member of the SWAT Team, is currently working as a Communications Supervisor and is an 11 year veteran of Law Enforcement. Greg is currently the School Resource Officer at Rancho Campana High School, an Explorer Advisor for Camarillo Explorer Post #2932 and a 12 year veteran of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. Dean and Greg were selected by a panel that included a Behavioral Health member (VCBH), a member from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and a retired Commander from the Oxnard Police Department. Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training provides law enforcement techniques in active listening, de-escalating a crisis and providing appropriate community resources as needed. CIT training is used in domestic situations, and contacts with troubled youth, elderly citizens, and the general public. CIT skills are used to de-escalate crisis situations, not diagnosis mental illness. The successful implementation of the CIT Program in Ventura County has resulted in the reduction of risks and injuries to citizens and officers alike, resulting in increased public support and confidence in law enforcement. The original goal in 2001 was to train 20% of law enforcement. Currently 81% of Ventura County Law Enforcement is CIT trained, and 1554 students have completed Ventura County Law Enforcement’s 40 hour CIT Academy, since 2001. The names of the nominees for this year’s award are as follows: Deputy Greg Lindsay (VCSO-Camarillo PD), Corporal Dean Cole (Ventura PD), Officer Walter Harper (Santa Paula PD), Officer Nora Starna (Port Hueneme PD), Officer Gene Colato (Simi Valley PD), Deputy David Mancini (VCSO-Fillmore PD), Deputy Marc Riggs (VCSO-Moorpark) and Deputies Justin Czyrklis & Mark Plassmeyer (VCSO-Thousand Oaks PD). Prepared by: Sergeant John M. Franchi |
