DSP News Release:  Law Enforcement Response to Mental Illness Training Conference 

When:

·         Tuesday April 5^th  2011 thru Thursday April 7^th 2011

Where:

·         PolyTech Adult Education Center

·         823 Walnut Shade Road

·         Woodside, Delaware

Sponsors:

• Delaware State Police and the Criminal Justice Council

Who (Opening-Welcome):

• Honorable Henry duPont Ridgely, Delaware Supreme Court and Chair-Mental Health and Criminal Justice Task Force
• Honorable Jack Markell, Governor, State of Delaware

Event Details:

PolyTech-On behalf of the Delaware Supreme Court Criminal Justice and Mental Health Task Force, Justice Henry duPont Ridgely welcomes attendees to the first Delaware State Police Law Enforcement response to mental illness training conference. 

This conference, attended by 120 participants will provide a forum for training and education into the area of mental illness as it relates to both law enforcement and the public. The conference is designed to give greater insight and knowledge about various mental health issues to improve law enforcement response in the community. Nationally recognized and local speakers will present on topics that include: Suicide by Cop; Emotional Toll on Law Enforcement; Mental Illness Identification; Crisis Intervention; Excited Delirium and more.  Experts will present true case examples and utilize various techniques to improve the practical application of training to law enforcement. 

Quote: Colonel Robert M. Coupe Delaware State Police, “Law enforcement is often the first responder to a mentally ill person in crisis and many times our training in mental illness is limited.  Situations involving emotionally disturbed individuals are among the most unpredictable calls for police officers. 

Individuals are often irrational, unstable and uncooperative as a result of their illness.  It is the State Police’s desire, through this conference, that attendees will take away a better understanding of people with mental illness so that they can respond appropriately and compassionately without compromising safety.” 

Nationally Recognized Instructors:

Sergeant David Rivers (Ret.)

27 year veteran of the Miami-Dade Police Department (20 years in Homicide).  During his tenure he supervised the Cold Case Squad and the Polygraph Section of the Homicide Bureau. Sgt. Rivers is Board Certified by the American College of Forensic Examiners in the field of Crime Scene Reconstruction and Homicide Procedures. He has lectured throughout the United States, England and Canada.

Chris Lawrence

With over 30 years of police related experience Chris’ past assignments have included Patrol, Underwater Search and Recovery, Marine Enforcement, Tactical and Rescue Unit, Criminal Investigation, and Training in one of Canada’s largest municipal police services.  Since 1996, Chris has been an instructor at the Ontario Police College; one of North America’s largest police training facilities, where his duties focused on defensive tactics and use of force.  Chris was also seconded to the Canadian Police Research Centre where he was assigned as a Project Manager for research involving Less-Lethal Weapons, In-Custody Death and Personal Protective Equipment.

Chief Tom Garrity

Chief Garrity is a 27 year Law Enforcement veteran, first serving in the US Army Military Police, before serving for 24 years with the Collingswood Police Department, 14 years as Chief of Police.  Chief Garrity was recently appointed as the Chief of Investigators for the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office in Camden, New Jersey.  Chief Garrity has obtained his Bachelor Degree and Masters Degrees from Fairleigh Dickinson University and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy 195^th session.  Chief Garrity was the first CIT certified Police Chief in the state of New Jersey and implemented the very first CIT unit within New Jersey.

Carol A. Tavani, M.D., M.S., D.F.A.P.A.

Dr. Carol A. Tavani is a Board Certified neuropsychiatrist practicing in the state of Delaware. A graduate of Jefferson Medical College, she practices neuropsychiatry as Executive Director of Christiana Psychiatric Services. Her subspecialty expertise is in neuropsychiatry and neuropharmacology in medical-surgical patient populations.  She was appointed to the Delaware Supreme Court’s Mental Health/Criminal Justice Task Force which was created to address the needs of the mentally ill who enter the criminal justice system.  She serves as consultant and distinguished faculty to numerous pharmaceutical companies and lectures and teaches nationwide.  She has had several years’ experience providing services in Delaware’s prison system.

MEDIA ADVISORY: THIS CONFERENCE IS LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE.  PLEASE CONTACT CPL/3 BRUCE HARRIS FOR INQUIRIES REGARDING SPEAKER INTERVIEWS IN ADVANCE.  ALL SPEAKERS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS.