The Decatur County Sheriff's Department has a new feather in their cap, as members of their team recently completed an immersive 40-hour FBI-led Basic Crisis Negotiation Course. The department took to social media to express their pride for CIT Deputies McFarland and Bundick and Detective Sullivan, not just for completing the training but for bringing new skills in negotiation and crisis management back to their precinct. "These three professionals serve in specialized roles within our agency, and the advanced negotiation skills they’ve gained will strengthen not only their own service—but also be shared across the department to raise the overall level of readiness, professionalism, and compassion in every crisis we face," read a portion of the post on Facebook.
Reflecting a collaboration among law enforcement agencies across Indiana, the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program—launched in February 2025—is a forward-thinking initiative that takes a community-first approach. It's a specialized unit within the Sheriff's Department that deals with mental health crises, substance use struggles, and other urgent situations. "The CIT serves as a mobile, specialized unit that helps protect lives, de-escalate conflict, and connect individuals to care and resources," the department stated.
The intensive training regimen included scenario-based exercises and was designed to prepare officers to respond to high-stress situations with tactical precision and human understanding. These scenarios were facilitated by veteran negotiators coming from the ranks of the FBI, Fort Wayne PD, and Anderson PD.
None of this burgeoning collaboration, however, would've been possible without significant support. The Decatur County Community Foundation, along with contributions from various local government officials, was instrumental in bringing the CIT initiative to life. The Facebook post made sure to acknowledge the support of Sheriff Bill Meyerrose, Decatur County Commissioners, Greensburg Mayor Joshua Marsh, and Chief Mike McNealy of the Greensburg Police Department.
Closing their announcement, the Decatur County Sheriff's Department invited the community to "Please join us in congratulating Deputies McFarland and Bundick and Detective Sullivan for their commitment to excellence and public safety!"
