17 Join Maui Police Crisis Intervention Team

Molokai officer, Nathaniel Hubbard receives a certificate from Dr. Rampersad during the 4th CIT graduation. Sept. 29, 2014.

By Wendy Osher

Seventeen individuals were added to the Maui Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Team during the program’s fourth graduation ceremony, held on Friday.

In addition to officers, the graduating class also included deputy prosecutor Kerry Glen, mental health social worker Danna Tabisola, Maui Memorial Medical Center security officer Ken Takayama, and Maui Police Department dispatcher Kevin Wolff.

The team was established last year as the first of its kind in the state, utilizing community partnerships to better respond to critical incidents involving individuals with mental illness.

Officials with the Maui Police Department say the CIT handles incidents involving the mentally ill and those in crisis with care and expertise, ensuring that such individuals receive a response which is appropriate to the needs of the person involved.

All trainees participated in the 40-hour training in mental health and crisis intervention response. Instructors from the state Department of Health, Mental Health Kōkua, Aloha House, VA, private practice, and Maui Memorial Medical Center all worked together to educate the students on best practices for helping consumers in need.

4th CIT graduating class. Sept. 29, 2014.