|
|
Greenville
Police Chief Earns Statewide Recognition
Greenville Police Chief Dennis Butts was named the Ohio CIT Law
Enforcement Administrator of the Year at the Crisis Intervention Team
Advanced Training Conference October 28 in Columbus.
The Crisis Intervention Team process trains law enforcement officers in
how to recognize and deal with persons exhibiting signs of mental
illness or substance abuse and addiction, and how to divert them into
appropriate treatment and recovery as an alternative to the criminal
justice system.
The Greenville Police Department, through the efforts and advocacy of
Chief Butts, is the first department in the Darke, Miami and Shelby
County service area to have 100 percent of its officers complete the
Tri-County Board’s Crisis Intervention Team.
Presenting the award was Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. In
presenting the award, DeWine noted that Butts has “built strong,
collaborative relationships with mental health and addiction agencies
in Darke County.”
DeWine quoted Greenville Police Sergeant Scott Drew, saying CIT
“has resulted in better service to the public by having knowledgeable
officers correctly assess people in crisis and getting them the help
they so desperately need,” adding that CIT techniques result in fewer
officer man-hours spent on crisis calls, and fewer officer complaints,
calling it a “win-win for everyone.”
Chief Butts serves as a member of the Tri-County Board of Recovery and
Mental Health Services, which plans, funds, monitors and evaluates
mental health and addiction services in Darke, Miami and Shelby
counties.
|
|
|
|
