KCPD Sergeant Receives Lifetime Award for CIT Efforts

Image of Sean Hess

Congratulations to Reserve Sergeant Sean Hess who received the Lifetime Achievement Award from First Call!

Hess has spearheaded KCPD’s Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Unit over the last decade, diverting people with mental health issues and substance abuse disorders away from the criminal justice system and into treatment. He has taught across the U.S., teaching officers how to de-escalate and respond properly to those experiencing a crisis.

Thousands of law enforcement and mental health professionals across the country, thanks to Hess, have completed Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training.

First Call Alcohol/Drug Prevention & Recovery (First Call) has provided wraparound services to meet community need for those affected by substance use disorder in the Kansas City Metropolitan area. The agency’s focus is to raise awareness, end stigma, and provide resources for education, prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery.