2026 CIT Awards

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At last year’s CIT Awards Ceremony, the CIT Working Group introduced a special recognition to honor individuals whose leadership, vision, and dedication helped shape the Crisis Intervention Team Program into what it is today. That recognition

 became known as the CIT Legacy & Leadership Award.

Today, we are proud to continue that tradition by recognizing another exceptional member of the San Francisco Police Department whose impact on crisis intervention has been both profound and lasting.

Lieutenant Laura Anderson’s career reflects a remarkable commitment to innovation, compassion, and lasting impact in the field of crisis intervention.

A San Francisco native raised in the Ingleside District, she joined the San Francisco Police Department in 1999 and quickly distinguished herself through her work in some of the city’s most demanding assignments. Serving in Mission, Northern, and Ingleside Stations, she built a strong foundation in community engagement, problem-solving, and compassionate policing. Qualities that would later define her leadership in crisis response.

In 2009, Lieutenant Anderson expanded her expertise through Crime Scene Investigations, further developing her analytical skills and attention to detail. By 2013, she was selected for the Behavioral Science Unit, where she gained invaluable experience addressing the human factors behind critical incidents, laying the groundwork for her future leadership in Crisis Intervention.

Promoted to Sergeant in 2015, she was immediately recruited into the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), a testament to her reputation and dedication. As CIT Administrator, she became a driving force behind the program’s growth and modernization. She revitalized the training curriculum, elevated instructional standards, and ensured that department members and regional law enforcement partners received practical, forward-thinking crisis intervention training. She also played a key role in modernizing CIT-related policies and procedures, helping align departmental practices with evolving standards in de-escalation and crisis response.

In April 2023, Lieutenant Anderson assumed the role of Acting Lieutenant of the CIT Unit during a critical period of transition and expansion. Her leadership strengthened the unit through improved crisis response strategies, increased staffing, and enhanced coordination with partner agencies, including the Department of Public Health’s Comprehensive Crisis Services, the San Francisco Fire Department’s Community Paramedicine program, and the Department of Police Accountability. She also maintained strong partnerships with the CIT Working Group, reinforcing a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach to crisis care.

In December 2024, she joined the newly established Family Support Unit under the Chief’s Office, continuing her commitment to supporting officers and their families during difficult times. Her leadership and vision earned her promotion to Lieutenant in September 2025, followed by her assignment to the San Francisco International Airport Traffic Division.

Lieutenant Anderson’s impact on the Crisis Intervention Team is both profound and enduring. Through her dedication, innovation, and unwavering commitment to those in crisis, she strengthened the foundation of CIT and helped shape its future. Her legacy of leadership, service, and compassion makes her exceptionally deserving of recognition for leadership and legacy in crisis intervention.