Major Cochran has been instrumental in changing the way police deal with people with a mental illness and their families across America. He has worked tirelessly as Coordinator of the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) with the Memphis Police Department to promote understanding and compassion when responding to situations involving people with mental illness.
Major Cochran is the founder of the renowned Memphis Crisis Intervention Team, which formed in 1988 in response to public outrage that police were insufficiently trained to deal with crises involving people with a mental illness.
The Memphis CIT is now recognised as best practice in skilled law enforcement, with police specialists who balance crisis management and community safety, while maintaining compassion and understanding for the mentally ill.
He is committed to fighting the stigma experienced by people affected by mental illness and identifying opportunities for families & carers, mental health professionals and police to work collaboratively. He instigated appointment by merit followed by specialist training for CIT police officers in responding appropriately to mental health emergencies as a means of building safer and more humane communities.
Major Cochran has presented the CIT model to numerous organisations and communities across the USA, including the White House Conference on Mental Health. In recognition of his work promoting understanding of mental health issues, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has named their annual law enforcement advocacy award after Major Cochran.
MIFA hope, as a result of Major Sam Cochran’s visit, his experience and expertise in this field can contribute to similar positive outcomes in Australia.
Major Sam Cochran's tour of Australia for Schizophrenia Awareness Week is funded by an educational grant from Eli Lilly. |
