Wright State police recognized for completing One Mind Campaign, earn valuable mental health training certification

Patrol staff and communication operators in the Wright State Police Department completed crisis intervention training as part of the One Mind Campaign.

The Wright State University Police Department has earned a valuable certification that will help further enable officers to respond appropriately and safely to people with mental illness.

The department was recognized by the International Association of Chiefs of Police for completing the One Mind Campaign, a training program that seeks to ensure successful interactions between law enforcement officers and individuals with mental health conditions and intellectual or developmental disabilities.

“As a police chief, I know that successful interactions between police officers and persons affected by mental illness improve public trust, enhance officer safety and save lives,” said Kurt Holden, director of public safety at Wright State.

To complete the pledge and campaign requirements, the Wright State Police Department was required to train 20% of its sworn staff in crisis intervention training. The department exceeded that mark, training 100% of its patrol staff and communication operators.

The Police Department also established a clearly defined and sustainable partnership with one or more community health organizations. The department also implemented a model policy addressing law enforcement response to individuals with mental health conditions.

The department is one of three agencies in Ohio that have completed the One Mind Campaign. Visit theiacp.org/pledged-agencies to see which Ohio police departments have completed the requirements.

“I want to personally congratulate you and your dedicated members of the Wright State University Police Department on your achievement in completing the One Mind Pledge,” said Wade Carpenter, president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. “You have demonstrated your agency’s commitment to the safety and well-being of all the members of your community.”

The One Mind Campaign is part of the Police-Mental Health Collaboration, which provides resources for law enforcement agencies to partner with mental health providers to effectively respond to calls for service and improve outcomes for people with mental illness or intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“This area of training is incredibly valuable to the safety of all of us,” said Holden. “We seek to train and certify our officers in the areas of mental health first aid and crisis intervention training as much as we can because we recognize how important it is.”

The department offers weekly Question, Persuade, Refer suicide prevention program to Wright State faculty, staff and students throughout the academic year. The department encourages everyone to take advantage of its safety programs. Programming information is available on Engage.

The Wright State Police Department provides the Dayton and Lake campuses with 24-hour police services with a fully certified staff of police officers, detectives and dispatchers. The department also utilizes partnerships with Counseling and Wellness Services, Residential Life and Housing, Community Standards and Student Conduct, Environmental Health and Safety, Facilities Management, and many other on- and off-campus partners to provide a safe and secure campus for students and employees.