9 Investigates: Oviedo police officers to undergo mandatory crisis intervention training following wrongful death lawsuit

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — The Oviedo Police Department agreed to pay a $137,000 settlement to a family that sued claiming officers did not do enough to prevent Rebecca Olson’s suicide.

As part of the settlement, Police Chief Jeff Chudnow signed a letter of intent that will mandate every Oviedo officer to undergo crisis intervention training. All new recruits will also go through the 40-hour class.

The wrongful death suit was filed after the family claimed officers did not recognize Olson was having a mental health crisis and did not take action to prevent her suicide.

The department did not admit fault as part of the settlement.

The additional training for officers has been hailed by local mental health providers, and Oviedo police Lt. Mike Beavers said it will help keep something like Olson’s death from happening again.

“It’s very important,” he said. “Any training is beneficial.”

The training will help officers better recognize when someone is in crisis, he said.

“Some of the guys are very excited about (the extra training),” he said.

Oviedo already has 24 officers trained in crisis intervention.

WFTV