WAKE FOREST, NC – The Wake Forest Police Department (WFPD) recently named Officer J. Manning as its 2026 Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Officer of the Year.
A specialized law enforcement program, the CIT is a partnership between 17 Wake County law enforcement agencies, Wake County Human Services, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The initiative is designed to develop a more effective, compassionate, and safer approach to interacting with people suffering from a mental illness or developmental disability crisis.
The CIT provides 40 hours of specialized training to sworn law enforcement officers. The training helps officers identify individuals in a mental health crisis and utilize effective techniques to deescalate crisis situations. As a result, there are fewer incidents of incarceration of persons with mental illness for misdemeanor charges and fewer injuries to both officers and individuals with mental illness.
Provided below is a portion of Officer Manning’s selection narrative:
“Officer Manning has consistently demonstrated exceptional professionalism, sound judgment, and a calm, composed demeanor in high-stress situations involving individuals in crisis. On April 20, 2025, he responded to a call involving a subject expressing suicidal ideations through text messages. Despite the consumer’s denial of intent, Officer Manning conducted a thorough and compassionate investigation, carefully evaluating the totality of the circumstances. Recognizing the seriousness of the threat, he made the appropriate decision to initiate an emergency commitment, ensuring the consumer received necessary medical evaluation, all while maintaining a respectful and reassuring presence.
On May 17, 2025, Officer Manning again displayed his commitment to crisis intervention when he responded to a juvenile who had threatened to shoot himself and barricaded himself inside a residence. Faced with a potentially life-threatening situation, Officer Manning remained calm and methodical. When the juvenile refused to respond and the risk of imminent harm escalated, he made the decisive choice to enter the residence to ensure the juvenile’s safety. Throughout the encounter, he maintained a composed and professional demeanor, ultimately securing the juvenile and facilitating transport for medical care without further incident.
Officer Manning’s ability to remain calm under pressure, communicate effectively, and make sound, compassionate decisions exemplifies the core principles of the Crisis Intervention Team. His professionalism and dedication to safeguarding individuals undergoing a mental health crisis make him highly deserving of recognition as CIT Officer of the Year.”