CPD Recognized for Mental Health Campaign Pledge

CPD 9-10-19

The Cheyenne Police Department was recognized today by IACP
(International Association of Chiefs of Police) for its participation and dedication to the One Mind Campaign, a national movement to improve police responses to persons affected by mental illnesses.


CPD pledged to train its officers in Mental Health First Aid classes as well as to increase the number of officers trained to respond to mental health crises. CPD is still the only law enforcement agency in Wyoming to sign this pledge.


While the national pledge calls for agencies to have 20% of their officers trained as a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), 45% of CPD officers have undergone this 40-hour training. The training extensively prepares officers to respond to mental health calls for service including mood and thought disorders, personality disorders, PTSD, suicide and mental disabilities.
During the course of the year, CPD policy regarding police response to those affected by mental illness has been updated and the department is looking to assign officers to Crisis Intervention Teams in the future. Furthermore, CPD has a clearly defined and sustainable partnership with two of our community mental health organizations which are Peak Wellness and Cheyenne Regional Medical Center Behavioral Health Services.


Chief Kozak also took this time to recognize our instructors who have played a vital role in the pledge and fulfilling the requirements for IACP recognition. Those instructors are Sergeant Joann Young, Detective Allison Baca, Detective Mike Fernandez, and Constant Marquer. These officers are the backbone of the campaign and their dedication to the pledge and the mental health of the community we serve is evident every day.