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Montgomery County, Maryland MC311
Montgomery County, Maryland MC311
Montgomery County Police Crisis Intervention Team Honored with International Award
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Gaithersburg, MD – The Montgomery County Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) has been recognized with the CIT Response Team of the Year Award by CIT International, ahead of its upcoming annual conference in Anaheim, CA, August 11-13.
The CIT Response Team of the Year Award honors a group that consistently demonstrates outstanding application of crisis intervention principles. Criteria for the award include effective use of de-escalation techniques, referrals to community resources, volunteerism for CIT-related calls, showing compassion towards people with mental illness and ongoing engagement with the broader CIT network. The selected team exemplifies compassion, professionalism and dedication to supporting individuals experiencing mental health crises and their families.
Montgomery County’s CIT is a full-time, multidisciplinary co-response unit focused on behavioral health emergencies through de-escalation strategies and a strong commitment to preserving the sanctity of life. The team includes:
- Sergeant Michael Skidmore
- Supervisor Therapist Lewis Nordan
- Police Officer III Kelly Cox
- Police Officer III Mirko Fernandez Valdes
- Police Officer III Matthew Johnson
- Police Officer III Ashley Petersen
- Police Officer III Ignatious Zakrjewski
- Therapist Mary Brough
This team responds to complex calls involving individuals in crisis, including situations related to suicide, violence and enforcement of Maryland’s red flag laws. In partnership with the Montgomery County Crisis Center and the Department of Health and Human Services, they work to ensure people in crisis are connected with appropriate resources and community-based support.
In addition to their fieldwork, the team conducts four CIT trainings each year, helping to educate and prepare law enforcement officers, clinicians, and other community partners. Serving one of the most diverse counties in the nation, Montgomery County Police Department’s CIT is committed to culturally responsive engagement, collaborative problem-solving and strengthening public trust.
For more information on CIT International and its programs, visit: www.citinternational.org .
To learn more about Montgomery County Police Department’s CIT program, visit: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/pol/about/crisis-intervention-team.html
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For updates and link to press release, see here: http://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail_Pol.aspx?Item_ID=47128