The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) and the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP), hosted the 2026 Statewide Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Conference: “From Wellness to Response: Creating Stronger Crisis Systems” on October 26–27, 2026, at Hershey Lodge in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
The two-day conference brought together more than 250 law enforcement professionals, behavioral health providers, first responders, advocates, and community partners from across the Commonwealth to share best practices, strengthen partnerships, and advance innovative approaches to crisis response.
Through engaging keynote presentations, interactive workshops, and collaborative discussions, attendees explored topics including crisis intervention, officer wellness and resilience, suicide prevention, co-responder models, and specialized CIT programs for youth and veterans. The conference also celebrated outstanding individuals and teams through the annual CIT Awards, recognizing their contributions to improving crisis response and community safety across Pennsylvania.
2026 CIT Conference Awardees
On the second day of the conference, PCCD presented the following awards, recognizing the accomplishments and leadership of individuals making a difference in the CIT space across Pennsylvania.
Sergeant Thomas Cain
Philadelphia Police Department
Sgt. Thomas Cain, a 2022 CIT graduate, consistently exceeds expectations in supporting effective crisis response, including training 911 dispatchers and teaching the 40‑hour CIT course. In 2026, he earned Extraordinary Service Recognition for safely deescalating a high‑risk suicidal incident and was later nominated for a Life Saving Commendation for performing successful CPR on a child.
Officer Samuel Safadi
North Catasauqua Police Department
Officer Safadi applies his CIT training with skill and professionalism, strengthened by his experience in the U.S. Marine Corps and local fire and police service. On November 5, 2025, he safely resolved a psychiatric emergency involving an armed individual by establishing calm, respectful communication, leading to a peaceful outcome. He received a Meritorious Service Award for his lifesaving actions, as well as a Peer Appreciation Award and recognition from the Northampton County Community Support Program for his outstanding partnership in supporting individuals with mental illness.
Bobby Tanyer,
Lead CIT Coordinator
Westmoreland County Office of Behavioral Health and Development Services
Bobby Tanyer serves as the Lead CIT Coordinator for Westmoreland County. He also oversees the 12-county strong Southwest PA Regional CIT Program that he has grown over the last 3 years from a 2-county program to a 12-county region. In partnership with NAMI Keystone PA, Bobby brought the first ever 40-hour Youth CIT training to Pennsylvania and presented at last year’s CIT International Conference. In addition to his CIT work, Bobby serves as the lead for the Westmoreland County Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors (LOSS) and Drug Overdose Survivor Support (DOSS) Teams and is an executive committee member for the new peer led First Responder Assistance Team (FAST) and the county crisis continuum oversight.
Jorge Collazo-Gonzalez,
Co-Responder
Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office and Harrisburg City Police
Jorge serves as a vital bridge between law enforcement and community resources, known for his ability to build trust and de-escalate tense situations. On May 26, 2026, he helped safely resolve a crisis involving a 17‑year‑old on the Market Street Bridge, spending nearly an hour establishing rapport until the teen agreed to step off the ledge and receive help. Jorge and the responding officer will be nominated for a Life Saving Award for their actions.
Dauphin County Co-Responder Team
Devon Chianos, Sara Lutz, Elizabeth Manning, Jordan Rolko, Jorge Collazo-Gonzalez, Taylor Borrelli, Jared Ross, Chrissy King, and Tiffani Trammell
The Dauphin County Co‑Responder Team has shown strong, sustained leadership in improving behavioral health and crisis response through program growth and cross‑system collaboration. Since launching in 2020, the team has expanded from two co‑responders to a 10‑member unit embedded in eight law enforcement agencies, supporting additional departments countywide. They have handled more than 20,000 crisis‑related contacts, with very few resulting in criminal charges, and remain deeply involved in county CIT efforts, the Criminal Justice Advisory Board, community partnerships, and training initiatives. Their work has strengthened policy, coordination, and access to care, bringing behavioral health support directly into the community and prioritizes connection to services over criminal justice involvement.