Brain disease or chemical imbalances of the brain, sometimes referred to as mental illness, are the number one disability in America. It affects one out of four families. Given that fact, it comes as no surprise that 60% of most mental health consumers report having contacts with law enforcement. Today, law enforcement’s most efficient tool at achieving this mission is through the use of the "Memphis Model" of the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) approach.

The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office began implementation of CIT in the corrections division in 2005. It then expanded to the patrol division in 2006. The CIT approach is a community effort enjoining both the police and the community together for common goals of safety, understanding and service to the mentally ill and their families.

Currently the Sheriff’s Office has six trained deputies in the corrections and patrol division with more receiving the training soon. For more information go to the NAMI Fox Valley website and click on crisis intervention or contact Community Programs Cooridinator Deputy Erica Geschrei at 920-236-7309.