Written by: Chris Rinker, Chief of Police, New Market Police Department
In 2014, a conversation with a friend about police training introduced me to Crisis Intervention Training (CIT). He described it as a program designed to equip officers with the tools to respond effectively to individuals in crisis—and shared how deeply he was impacted by a role-play scenario. Shortly after, I learned that Northwestern Community Services Board (NWCSB) was offering a CIT course at the regional police academy in Middletown, Virginia.
At the time, I was a Sergeant with the New Market Police Department, with 15 years of service. My mindset was that everything was strictly business. I mentioned the CIT training to Chief Peery, a veteran law enforcement leader known for his no-nonsense, matter-of-fact approach—and not much patience. My thought process mirrored his. He wasn’t familiar with CIT and was skeptical, but he approved my request to attend and even asked me to sign him up as well.
When the training schedule arrived, Chief Peery called me into his office, glanced through it, and said, “What is this? I’m not sure this is something we need to be part of.” Honestly, I wasn’t sure either. The first day felt long and PowerPoint-heavy. But everything changed when I heard from a local NAMI speaker—a woman living with a mental health condition. She shared stories about her experiences with law enforcement, both negative and positive. The difference that CIT-trained officers made was powerful.
The site visits, combined with hearing the lived experiences of those affected by mental health disorders, started to reshape many of my assumptions about the people I serve in my community. Participating in role-plays and de-escalation scenarios brought the week’s lessons to life. It was during that experience that I truly embraced the principles of CIT—I often say that’s when I started to “drink the CIT juice.”
Soon after completing the course, I was invited to a CIT Train-the-Trainer program. Instructors from across the state further deepened my understanding and commitment to the model. I began assisting with local CIT trainings—started as a dispatcher, then taking on various roles, eventually becoming a co-coordinator and presenter.”
In 2015, I was promoted to Chief of Police. I knew mental health-related calls made up a significant portion of our service load, so I made it a priority to get all full-time officers CIT-trained. It wasn’t easy, but we reached that goal. Many officers who were initially reluctant returned from training saying, “I liked it—and I know I’ll use it.”
Since then, I’ve continued to support NWCSB’s training program, attend statewide CIT conferences, and serve on the Virginia CIT Coalition Board and NWCSB Board. CIT changed how I lead, how I listen, and how I connect—with both the public and my fellow officers.
CIT didn’t just change how I work—it changed who I am. It gave me empathy, reshaped how I see and hear people, and opened the door to peer support and officer wellness—two areas now central to my “why” as a law enforcement officer, leader, and individual.