PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cass County Officers Receive Awards
Public Information Officer:
November 17th, 2008
Cpl. Kevin Tieman,
Cass County Sheriff’s Office
816-380-8615 (Office)
816-738-4394 (Cell)
Kansas City, MO – The National Alliance of Mental Illness of Greater Kansas City (NAMI-KC) Board of Director’s held it’s 20th Annual Membership Meeting, Awards Ceremony and the 8th Annual Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) Banquet in Kansas City on November 13, 2008. This year law enforcement officers from 10 metro agencies, volunteers, and other professionals will be recognized for their contributions to the community.
Crisis Intervention Team Award Recipients were:
– Corporal Joshua Becker-Schutte, Cass County Sheriff’s Office
– Sergeant Sean Murray, Harrisonville Police Department
– Officer Michael McLaughlin, Peculiar Police Department
NAMI of Kansas City also announced its CIT Coordinator of the Year. That award was given to Corporal Kevin Tieman of the Cass County Sheriff’s Office.
In early 2008 Officers from Belton, Raymore, Pleasant Hill Police Departments and the Cass County Sheriff’s Office completed the Crisis Intervention Training (CIT). This specialized training for uniformed patrol Law Enforcement Officers focuses on how to respond to calls concerning persons with mental illness in crisis. It was the first training of its kind in Cass County and certified 18 law enforcement officers throughout the county.
NAMI is a grass roots, self-help advocacy organization for families with serious mental illness. Family members, friends or other caregivers meet together for mutual support and comfort. NAMI is 501-C3 which offers many free services to the community such as advocacy for mentally ill citizens and educational programs for all members of the community.