KPD completes crisis intervention training

LIHUE — Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. said crisis situations can happen anywhere Friday when he congratulated the 13 individuals from the Kauai Police Department who successfully completed crisis intervention training.

Carissa Gardner, representing Gov. David Ige, said CIT prepares law enforcement officers to help those with mental illness or who are homeless. It also improves the safety of patrol officers responding to complaints, consumers, family members and citizens within the community.

“Chief Darryl Perry has a vision to help those with mental illness and those in crisis situations,” said Lt. Todd Tanaka, one of the graduates. “If you take a snapshot of the last month and a half, there have been the situations in Las Vegas, Texas, and, most recently, Northern California.”

The first training was done with the Maui Police Department about 10 years ago, Tanaka said.

“If we interact with people in crisis situations, it makes the front page of the newspapers,” Tanaka said. “If the situation is handled correctly, there is nothing.”

Dr. Dara Rampersad and Sgt. James Terry of the Maui Police Department handled the training, which involved partnering with organizations like Wilcox Health, Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital, and Friendship House.

“This is just the beginning,” Carvalho said. “We always are concerned about the emotional side of officers responding to situations. This CIT will give them the tools they need to help serve the community better while taking care of their emotions.”

Officers receiving their successful completions include Tyra Caires, Lavina Taovao, Tanaka, Sgt. Anthony Morita, Sgt. John Mullineaux, Sgt. Lance Okasaki, Sgt. Stacy Perreira, and officers Bobby Thompson, Mark Stulpe, Andrew Muraoka, Morris Unutoa, Hanson Hsu, Brian Silva and Ritchael Cariaga.