Lieutenant
Tuscaloosa Police Department
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States
Lt. Craig Parker is a seasoned law enforcement professional with 15 years of experience at the Tuscaloosa Police Department in Alabama. Throughout his career, he has held various leadership roles, including Field Training Officer, Patrol Sergeant, and Shift Commander. His dedication to addressing behavioral health crises led him to become a Mental Health Officer in 2019 and establish the TPD Behavioral Health Unit in 2020, which later expanded into the Behavioral Intervention Team. This initiative has grown significantly, incorporating numerous officers and specialists focused on crisis intervention and threat assessment. As one of only two CIT master trainers in Alabama, Lt. Parker has trained hundreds of officers across the state in de-escalation techniques for individuals in behavioral crises and his Behavioral Intervention Team was also recognized as Program of the Year in 2024. Beyond his work with behavioral health, Lt. Parker serves as an FBI Threat Management Coordinator and Liaison to the Joint Terrorism Task Force. His expertise has led him to present at prestigious conferences, including events hosted by the IACP, FBI, and PBSO.
Enhancing Crisis Response in Rural Communities: Leveraging Resources and Building Partnerships
Monday, October 20, 2025
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM MT