The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) has recently honored a range of frontline responders for their work with individuals facing serious mental health crises. Among those recognized are police officers, dispatchers, and advocates dedicated to better managing behavioral health emergencies.
This year's CIT Officer of the Year award was bestowed upon Rachel Thornton of the Davidson Police Department. Meanwhile, the CIT Team Member of the Year accolade was earned by Chris Peters of Mecklenburg County Criminal Justice Services. These awards aim to acknowledge the significant contributions of responders who continually to strive improve how they engage with persons in crisis.
According to the official announcement, the CIT Intervention of the Year was awarded to Terrell Marshall and Brittany Brown of CMPD's Community Policing Crisis Response Team. Additionally, the Veterans CIT Officer of the Year was awarded to Wilbur Davis, Jr. of CMPD."Thank you to the 2025 Crisis Intervention Team award recipients for your work to promote and protect mental health and safety in our community," Dr. Raynard Washington, Public Health director told the Mecklenburg County.
The CIT program is lauded for its collaborative model, bringing together law enforcement, behavioral healthcare providers, and families affected by mental illness, substance use disorder, or intellectual and developmental disabilities. These partnerships have proven critical not just for intervention but also for advocating needed services, training first responders, and ultimately to strengthen community bonds.
Other recipients include Don Warren from Matthews Police Department as the Instructor of the Year and a joint award for CDCP Officer of the Year which went to Caitlin Barbour and Thomas Worley of CMPD. To support effective communications during mental health crises, the award for CIT Dispatcher/911 Call Taker of the Year was given to Donna Huggins of CMPD. Michael Severance from Charlotte Fire Department and Joyce Engelmann of NAMI Charlotte were also honored with the First Responder Award and Community Impact Award, respectively.
