Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Program

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At SFPD, we believe that progress is driven by innovation, education, and collaboration. As the needs of our community evolve, so do we. By continuously improving our strategies, training, and partnerships, we ensure that our crisis response remains effective, compassionate, and deeply rooted in public safety.

Since 2011, the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Working Group—a collaboration of criminal justice professionals, mental health service providers, community advocates, and local leaders—has revolutionized how we respond to mental health crises. Through this initiative:

• Over 70% of our sworn officers have completed 40 hours of specialized de-escalation training, equipping them with critical skills to respond safely and effectively to individuals in crisis.
• We have extended training and certification to partner agencies across San Francisco, ensuring that our approach is cohesive, informed, and comprehensive.
• The success of our CIT Program has gained recognition beyond San Francisco and even outside California, inspiring other agencies to learn from our model and adopt best practices.

We are determined to set the standard for crisis intervention nationwide—proving that a compassionate, community-centered approach is the key to safer and more effective policing.

Every day, officers and crisis response professionals go above and beyond to serve those in need. Each year, SFPD and the CIT Working Group come together to celebrate and honor those who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication, skill, and compassion in crisis intervention.

The CIT Awards Ceremony is more than just recognition—it’s a celebration of progress, a tribute to those who make a difference, and a reminder that our work is changing lives.

We are inspired by those who lead with heart and service, and we remain committed to setting new standards of excellence in crisis response.

2025 Recipient of the CIT Leadership & Legacy Award - A/Captain Mario Molina

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It is with great pride and admiration that we recognize Acting Captain Mario Molina as the recipient of this year’s CIT Leadership & Legacy Award—an honor befitting a trailblazer whose visionary leadership has transformed the landscape of crisis response in San Francisco.

Throughout his distinguished career, Acting Captain Molina has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to public safety, particularly during his tenure with the Gang Task Force Unit, where he earned numerous awards. Yet, it was his unexpected reassignment in 2015 that set the stage for a new and transformative chapter—one that would redefine his legacy and the future of crisis intervention in our city.

Following his promotion to Lieutenant, and after a brief assignment as a Watch Commander at Bayview Station, Acting Captain Molina was invited by Retired Deputy Chief Lyn Tomioka to lead the San Francisco Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Team (CIT). What began as a simple lunch meeting became a defining moment—one that would profoundly impact the department and the community it serves.

At the time, CIT training was an established program, but Acting Captain Molina saw the opportunity for something greater. With bold vision and steady resolve, he set out not just to maintain the program but to reimagine it. He quickly moved beyond the classroom, recognizing that true change required structural reform, interagency collaboration, and cultural shift.

Under his transformative leadership:

• He secured two full-time training sergeants to oversee separate CIT training components.
• He modernized the curriculum by enhancing the 40-hour Mental Health Awareness Course and launching the innovative 10-hour Threat Assessment & De-escalation Course.
• He authored and implemented new CIT policies and unit orders, laying a strong foundation for accountability and effectiveness.
• He launched the CIT Awards, a tradition we proudly continue today, recognizing officers who exemplify CIT principles in the field.

The results were nothing short of extraordinary. From 2016 to 2020:

• Use of force incidents declined by 68%
• Pointing of firearms dropped by 80%
• San Francisco experienced 18 consecutive months without an officer-involved shooting—an unparalleled achievement for a major U.S. city.

Yet Acting Captain Molina understood that training alone was not enough. He championed the creation of San Francisco’s first CIT Field Unit—a groundbreaking team dedicated to proactive follow-ups with individuals in crisis. He also forged an unprecedented partnership with the Department of Public Health’s Comprehensive Crisis Services, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding. This integrated response model placed police officers and clinicians side by side, responding together to calls for service—a powerful testament to the strength of cross-disciplinary collaboration.

His efforts did not go unnoticed. Under his stewardship, the SFPD’s CIT model gained national recognition and was showcased at esteemed conferences, including:

• International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
• Force Science Institute
• California Association of Hostage Negotiators (CAHN)
• California Crisis Intervention Training Association (CCITA)
• American Psychiatric Association (APA)

The unit also earned prestigious awards, including formal recognition by the San Francisco Police Commission and the California Police Officers’ Association Award of Distinction.

In 2023, Acting Captain Molina transitioned into his current role as Night Captain, entrusting the continued evolution of CIT to his successor. But the program’s strength today is a direct result of his vision, diligence, and resolve.

This year, we honor Acting Captain Mario Molina not only for his outstanding contributions—but for the lasting legacy he leaves behind. The CIT Unit he built stands as a national model for compassionate, community-centered policing.

Acting Captain Molina, your leadership has saved lives, strengthened trust, and reshaped how we serve our most vulnerable. Your legacy will continue to guide and inspire for generations to come. Congratulations!

2025 CIT Awards Honorees & Incidents

Incident No. 1 and Honorees

SFPD: Officer Stephen Hom, Officer Christopher Prescott, and Officer Lars Nelson

Southern Station officers responded to a woman displaying erratic behavior and ultimately detained her without force and transported her to a hospital.

Incident No. 2 and Honoree

SFPD: Sergeant Antonio Santos

The Central Station sergeant engaged with an individual doused in gasoline while holding a lighter, threatening self-harm, while there were bystanders around.

Incident No. 3 and Honorees

SFPD: Officer Mark Lustenberger, Officer Timothy Watts

San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD): Assistant Deputy Chief April Sloan, Paramedic Scott Patterson, EMT Samantha Sabatelli Department of Public Health (DPH): Dr. Shivika Dharamrup

Ingleside Station officers showed empathy and patience while working with a resident living in hazardous conditions, while preserving her life and dignity.

Incident No. 4 and Honorees

SFPD: Sergeant Eric Mahoney, Officer Thomas Anderson, Officer Tommie Bartley, Officer Timothy Macaulay, Officer Carson McKenzie
SFFD: Assistant Deputy Chief April Sloan, Captain Edward Bird, Paramedic Logan Rasmussen, EMT Braelan Mamaradlo
DPH: Dr. Ricardo Carrillo, Clinician Brian Fields

Richmond Station officers responded to a woman who had caused fear in the community, leading to compassionate and collaborative intervention.

Incident No. 5 and Honorees

SFPD: Sergeant Nathan Lim, Sergeant Shante Williams, Officer Andrea Acosta, Officer Calvin Douglas, Officer Jacob Menis, Officer Simon Wong

Taraval police officers responded to a 911 call from a suicidal man who wanted officers to shoot him and resolved the situation peacefully.

Media Release: San Francisco Police Department Holds Annual Crisis Intervention Team Awards 25-068

• San Francisco Police Peacefully Resolve 99.9% of Crisis-Related Calls!
  • Featured on Force Science News by Von Kliem
• CIT Liaison Program Training Guide