Competition Raises Money For Law Enforcement Crisis Training
By Space Coast Daily // October 23, 2012
Event Set For Friday
BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – The more you practice, the better you get.
That proves true for both Crisis Intervention Team training and Friday’s Performance Shooting Challenge, which supports CIT efforts as well as other Florida Partners in Crisis education programs.
Many law enforcement officers and others involved in criminal justice will participate in the fundraiser and also in a CIT course later in the day.
Palm Bay Police Chief Doug Muldoon is event chairman and a supporter of CIT.
“It helps participants understand what may be causing (people with mental illness) to act out, not always from criminal intent, but due to their illness,” Muldoon said. “The training provides attendees additional resources in the appropriate evaluation, placement and handling of mentally ill persons in crisis.”
Palm Bay Deputy Chief John Blackledge, who helped bring CIT training to Brevard, said the training prepares officers for real-life situations.
“For example,” he said, “many SWAT teams are called to incidents in which the majority are not criminal suspects, but persons who are suffering from mental illness and are in acute crisis.”
Law enforcement leaders also praised the competition as a way for officers to keep skills sharp.
“Anytime you have the opportunity to train and/or compete, you become better at it,” said Cmdr. Susan Jeter, who heads the Brevard County Jail and supports CIT.
Florida Partners in Crisis, based in Merritt Island, is a statewide organization that promotes collaboration of mental health, substance abuse and criminal justice systems to reduce the contact of people with mental illnesses and addictions with the justice system.
Its board and membership includes sheriffs and other law enforcement officials, judges, attorneys, state agency officials, providers, families and consumers.
For information, contact Executive Director Gail Cordial at gailc@flpic.org or visit www.flpic.org.
What: IDPA-style action pistol, long-range rifle and trap-shooting events.
When: 8 a.m. Friday
Where: Port Malabar Rifle and Pistol Club, Palm Bay
Who: Open to public, but advance registration is required at www.performanceshootingchallenge.com or 321-453-8825.
Cost, including lunch and T-shirt: Active-duty law enforcement or military, $40 per person ($160 for four-person team); civilians, $80 per person ($280 for team); second event, $20 per shooter; non- competitors, $35 includes lunch.
