22 Law Enforcement Officers Complete Crisis Intervention Team Training

Article presented by The Bean Foundation …

Chillicothe, OH — The Paint Valley Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health (ADAMH)
Board is pleased to announce that twenty-two (22) law enforcement officers, who serve
in the Paint Valley ADAMH Board region, completed Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)
Training on Friday, May 08, 2026. The weeklong, 40-hour class is designed to train law
enforcement officers and first responders in skills that assist them in interacting with
individuals with mental illness and/or a developmental disability.

Melanie Swisher, Executive Director of the Paint Valley ADAMH Board, said she, the
board, and CIT Planning Committee are excited about being able to offer the training to
increase safety for the community, officers, and first responders.

“Our first responders are daily met with crises. This training is so important to equip them
with the skills to de-escalate situations safely and provide them with the knowledge of
local resources that can assist those they serve,” Swisher said.

A total of 238 officers and first responders across the Paint Valley ADAMH region have
now completed CIT Officer Training by the Board since the first class held in 2013 (22 are
from Fayette County, 44 from Highland County, 17 from Pike County, 53 from Pickaway
County, and102 from Ross County). Law enforcement agencies represented during this
year’s training include Ross County Sheriff’s Office, Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office,
Chillicothe Police Department, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, Washington Court House
Police, Highland Police Department, Waverly Police Department, and Pike County
Sheriff’s Office.

The training was facilitated by Dr. Brian Bethel with assistance from Paint Valley ADAMH
Associate Director and CIT Program Coordinator, Kelly Dennis. The training included
presentations from Pickaway and Ross County boards of developmental disabilities,
Chillicothe Police Department, Pike County Sheriff’s Office, The Ohio State University,
Integrated Services for Behavioral Health, Scioto Paint Valley Mental Health Center,
Coleman Health Services, the Chillicothe VA Medical Center, NAMI Southern Ohio, and
Ohio University Chillicothe. The CIT Planning Committee, which is comprised of law
enforcement agencies, mental health service providers, and Paint Valley ADAMH Board staff
assisted with the planning of the training. The training is funded by the Paint Valley ADAMH Board.

The Paint Valley ADAMH Board would like to thank the following businesses for donating
lunch during the training: Buffalo Wild Wings, Giovanni’s Pizza, and Greg Miles with 7
Miles Smokehouse. The Board also extends its appreciation to Casa Del Taco,
McDonalds, and Bob Evans for the discounted meals they provided during the training.
The Board extends our gratitude to the First Wesleyan Church for allowing us to hold the
training at their facility for the week.

May 2026 CIT Officers

Officer Gavin Moore, Leah Marcus, & Officer Kyle Picard, Washington Court House Police Department
Deputy Rachel Scott, Deputy Christopher Potter, Deputy Samuel Curl, Deputy Kathleen Timmons, Deputy Austin Rolfe, & Deputy Gage Martin, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office
Officer Shane Ballein, & Officer Matthew Sexton, Waverly Police Department
Mark Agin, Emily Reisinger, & Deputy Oberley, Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office
Chief Brandon Holliday, Officer Nathaniel Smith, & Officer Lizabeth Preston, Highland Police Department
Officer Justin Depugh, Chillicothe Police Department
Deputy Colt Mitchell, & Deputy Ariana Williamson, Ross County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Todd Yarman, & Deputy Kayla Miller, Pike County Sheriff’s Office