I just wanted to share that on my way home from CIT training I was in the immediate area of a possible Psych call which I responded to.  I came across a male walking on the side of the highway who had made some erratic statements to the complainant.  The male had been crying one moment and singing the next and was talking about God.  I found the guy walking and identified myself as James with the Sheriff's Office.  He was apprehensive to come talk to me but I spoke to him in a calm direct manner and he eventually walked across the highway to the front of my squad.  I was able to get some information from him but he was still making some really erratic statements to me about Jesus and the military and his car.  He denied having any mental illness or being on meds or illegal drugs.  I was able to get some rapport with him by talking about the military which we had in common.  He was not really wanting to get into my car for safety reasons so I asked him if ordered him to have a seat in my car from a former Sergeant to a Private would he do so (I was trying to be creative).  He then stated well Sergeant if you order me to do so I will.  I then asked him nicely and ordered him into my squad car.  Well to make a long story short I discovered from a family member by phone that he was Bipolar and off his medications.  He was transported to St.  Mary's Hospital for a Psych/Medical Evaluation.  The family told me that he hadn't been heard from in over a month.  I just wanted to say that I feel the training was highly beneficial and helped in this situation.  The situation could have been bad because he could have jumped into traffic or numerous other scenarios could have played out.  I was able to get him in my car cooperatively and without a fight.  Most of this was because I talked to him calmly and gained report with him.  This was good since he was a college football player and an offensive lineman.  My gut feeling tells me that some of the skills learned in this class helped this call go better than normal although I have no way of proving that.  The family was very thankful that he was going to get some help and get back on track with his life.

Thanks again for offering this class.  Good job and I heard many positive comments from many of my classmates.  I appreciate the good training and felt it was very beneficial.

James McCormick
Olmsted County Sheriffs Department