Henrico Police Chief Douglas A. Middleton earned the CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) Police Chief of the Year award from CIT International last week at the annual CIT International Conference in Las Vegas, Nev. The Aug. 21 presentation was attended by more than 1,000 people from the United States and other countries.

CIT International is a non-profit membership organization whose primary purpose is to facilitate understanding, development and implementation of Crisis Intervention Team programs. They promote and support collaborative efforts to create and sustain more effective and safer interactions among law enforcement, mental health care providers, individuals with mental illness, their families and communities.
 
Middleton said he was honored and humbled to have received the award.

"This recognition is a result of a total team effort and partnership between the Henrico Mental Health Developmental Services Department, the Division of Fire, the Sheriff’s Office and the Police Division," Middleton said. "The dedication and enthusiasm of the men and women who train, teach, participate and support CIT are providing valuable services to our citizens. The real recognition does not belong to me; it belongs to the men and women in Henrico County who recognized and brought to fruition the success of a meaningful program that yields measurable benefits to our community.”

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Central Virginia chapter President Mike Francisco praised Middleton's efforts.

“Chief Middleton is very committed to supporting the CIT programs in his county and the surrounding counties who have requested their personnel to be CIT trained by his staff," Francisco said. "He plans to CIT-train 100 percent of Henrico Police officers. He is committed to ensuring all first responders are CIT trained. The success of the CIT programs in Henrico County and the surrounding counties is because of Chief Middleton's tireless efforts and his dedication to duty."