The police shooting of distressed army reservist James E. Dean, a day after Christmas, made international news and left an aftermath of public concern. Dean, who was possibly suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after returning from Afghanistan, became despondent and suicidal after learning he was due to be dispatched once again, this time to Iraq. Twenty-nine year old Dean was shot outside his father’s home in Leonardtown after an overnight standoff ended in Dean leaving the home aiming his gun at officers. Dean had already shot into an occupied cruiser during the standoff. He was killed with a single shot from an anti-sniper officer.

Now St. Mary’s Sheriff Tim Cameron is organizing a training program for his force in collaboration with local agencies and the Maryland Mental Hygiene Administration.

At a meeting on March 8, Cameron discussed with the Mental Health Authority of St. Mary’s (MHASM) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) a half-day training program for law-enforcement, correctional and other officers. The topics of the upcoming training for personnel include “Emergency Petitions” and “Dealing with Individuals with Mental Illness.”

Christina St. Clair, acting executive director of the MHASM, and Capt. Constance Walker, president of NAMI, were present at the crucial meeting.

St. Clair and Walker wrote a joint letter to Cameron, which was forwarded to the St. Mary’s Board of County Commissioners. According to the letter, Cameron is supportive of the training program and MHASM is now looking to finalize the deal with the sheriff’s office.

“We discussed the need for inclusion of information on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) within the community, police force, and in regards to returning Veterans,” the letter said.

Special Operations Commander Willenborg discussed the training program dates with St. Clair on Thursday morning. “May 23rd or 24th are the tentative dates as Ms. St. Clair will have to verify with the instructor,” Willenborg told The Bay Net. The reason May has been selected is that it is “Mental Health Awareness” month.

Willenborg said each class would have a four-hour block of instruction. “We are looking at four different classes on the two days. It will be open to the Maryland State Police as well as the Department of Defense Police from the base,” Willenborg said.

According to Willenborg the program will enhance understanding of dealing with persons who are suicidal or despondent. He said once an emergency petition is put into effect, the person needing help is transported to the St. Mary’s Hospital.

Dr. Richard Ortega, chief of policy and clinical affairs at the Office of Forensic Services, Maryland Mental Hygiene Administration, has been selected to serve as instructor for the course.

Cameron and MHASM agreed that Dr. Ortega’s training is only the first step towards beginning the collaborative effort required to implement an integrated Crisis Intervention Team (CIT community) program in St. Mary’s County. The two teams discussed introducing concepts and ideas included in what is called the CIT Memphis Model.

The CIT Memphis Model program sets a standard of excellence for officers dealing with individuals with mental illness. It establishes individual responsibility for each event and overall accountability for the results.  

The CIT is made up of volunteer officers from each patrol unit. CIT officers are called upon to respond to crisis calls that present officers face-to-face with complex issues relating to mental illness. Due to the specialized training, CIT officers can, with confidence, offer a humane and calm approach when dealing with the mentally ill.

At the meeting, Cameron also requested any training information, in the form of videos, lasting five to ten minutes to be provided for St. Mary’s law enforcement roll call. The MHASM also discussed with Cameron creating an informational DVD for the retention and use by St. Mary’s sheriff’s officers.

Cameron accepted an invitation that a designee from the sheriff’s office would sit on the board of the MHASM and invited the MHASM board to visit the detention center.