GBI Director Vernon Keenan Receives Award for Georgia's Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Program

GBI Director Vernon Keenan Receives Award for Georgia’s Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Program

ATLANTA —  Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that Vernon Keenan, director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), will receive an award for his role in establishing Georgia’s Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Program.  The CIT program is a weeklong training course that teaches law enforcement officers to identify mental illnesses and learn techniques for handling situations involving individuals in crisis.

“Vernon Keenan deserves this outstanding recognition among law enforcement leaders,” said Governor Sonny Perdue.  “By establishing this program, Director Keenan has likely saved lives while empowering criminal justice professionals to resolve potentially tragic situations justly and safely.”

Director Keenan was selected for the award from an impressive group of nominees by a multi-discipline committee.  The award presentation is being made today in Orlando, Fla. at the Second Annual Crisis Intervention Team Conference.  Law enforcement, behavioral health professionals, judges, court personnel, mental health advocates, and individuals who have mental illnesses along with their family members will attend the conference. 

Since its inception in December 2004, more than 700 of Georgia’s law enforcement officers have received CIT training.  While other states are attempting to establish statewide programs, Georgia has become a model for the large-scale initiative.  Georgia’s program is coordinated through the GBI with input from a board consisting of law enforcement executives, health care professionals and advocates with Georgia’s chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

The training is certified by the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council and is taught by experts from law enforcement and mental health communities.

Currently, there are approximately 600 CIT programs scattered across the nation. The first CIT program was developed by the Memphis Police Department after a man armed with a knife was shot and killed by police.  The man had a history of mental illness.

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