PUNTA GORDA, Fla. – Florida’s Attorney General Ashley Moody recognized the Punta Gorda Police Department’s Veteran Crisis Assistance Team.
The police department said Moody came to the Punta Gorda Public Safety Complex Thursday morning to present Captain Nahra and the members of of the team with the Attorney General’s Back the Blue Award.
The purpose of VCAT is to help ensure that PGPD is able to effectively handle situations involving military veterans experiencing mental health crises, or who are in need of assistance, according to Moody.
The inaugural members of the team, including Detective Jose Delgado, Officer Russell Fiorino, Officer Amber Gray, Officer Brandon Meddaugh, Captain Norman Nahra, and Officer Tom Vetri, were presented with Back the Blue Awards for the creation of the program and their extraordinary service rendered to local veterans.
The team is made up of Punta Gorda police officers who served, or are currently serving, in a branch of the United States military, Attorney General Moody said. VCAT coordinates with community-veteran organizations to ensure that veterans in need are connected with the appropriate channels and services and assisted in receiving eligible military benefits.
Members of VCAT are specially trained for de-escalating situations involving military veterans, and adept at dealing with special needs that the affected military veterans may have. Attorney General Moody said the team is dedicated to following up with veterans to ensure aid is offered and any additional needs are addressed.
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