By C1 Staff
AMHERST, Va. — The sheriff of Amherst County is the first in his area to complete a 40-hour training course designed for law enforcement and first responders who may interact with people who have mental illness or substance abuse problems.
The News Advance reports that Amherst County Sheriff Jimmy Ayers learned communication techniques and methods for establishing a rapport with people who have trouble communicating their own needs and problems in their crisis state.
“We are seeing more and more of that in our job,” Ayers said. “I was unaware it was available to people with mental illness or substance abuse.”
The training teaches how to better relate to individuals in that situation; Ayers plans to have as many of his deputies as possible complete the training as well.