Charles Sawchenko is the owner and provider of a law enforcement consultative-training service with a specialization in behavioral health. His mission is to provide continued support and education by enhancing the skills and abilities of police departments and its officers when assisting those who suffer from mental illnesses, addictions or have other special needs.

Mr. Sawchenko (aka Chuck) started his career in the area of social work. He received his Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland in 1991, and in 1993 obtained his license to practice clinical therapy as an LCSW in Delaware. His area of study and job experience primarily focused on those who suffered from a mental illness within a psychiatric setting. He has provided direct therapy for children, adolescents and adults, along with their families. 

In 1995, Chuck transitioned into the career of law enforcement and became a Delaware State Trooper. Chuck’s position as a sworn law enforcement officer with a clinical background in mental health led to many roles as a leader, instructor and presenter for various committees, boards, universities, CEU classes and recruit training.

Chuck was instrumental in starting Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training in Delaware in 2014 and continues to be an CIT instructor. He was given the responsibility to establish and train DSP in Tactical De-escalation and wrote the CALEA approved policy on responding to mental health crisis situations. Chuck also assisted in establishing the drug diversion program for the Delaware State Police.

Chuck has conducted presentations and trainings at different police academies; CIT, sworn and civilian in-services, judge’s retreats, CEU classes for law enforcement and attorney’s, conferences and symposiums, for both sworn and civilian groups in large and small environments.

Some of his appointed roles and accomplishments include: Governor’s Advisory Council on Substance Abuse and Mental Health; Lt. Governor’s Behavioral Health Consortium Co-chair of the Corrections and LE Committee; Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Committee Member and Police Diversion Program Committee. Chuck also advises on several other committees, two of which include: post-arrest diversion in the courts and Governance Committee for the opioid distribution settlement.

As a result of his expertise, the Delaware State Police contracted with Chuck, after his retirement, to continue to provide services and training as a “Behavioral Health Coordinator and Special Project Trainer” through his newly formed LLC. Chuck has also been hired by Wilmington University to assist in training Constables and was hired by the University of Delaware’s -Delaware Network for Excellence in Autism (DNEA) to train first responders about Autism. Chuck is also a father to a 16-year-old daughter with Autism and uses his LE and family experiences in his autism awareness training.

Chuck retired as a Lieutenant after 27 years of serving in patrol, Criminal Investigation Unit and Special Investigation Unit. He had the privilege of being a front-line supervisor as a Sergeant and an administrator with the title of Patrol Lieutenant which supervised 53 Troopers and civilians. His experience also included writing and reporting on grants; researching and creating policy on facial recognition and limited English proficiency (LEP); and conducting staffing analysis. Chuck was active in the union and promoted shift schedule changes and salary and benefit improvements for troopers.