Major Sam Cochran

Major Cochran is the coordinator of the Memphis Police Services Crisis Intervention Team (CIT). He holds a Masters degree in Political Science from the University of Southern Mississippi. He has been a police officer for over 28 years. In addition to his nationally recognized work with the CIT program, Major Cochran coordinates the Hostage Negotiation Team and the Critical Incident Services (CIS) for the Memphis Police Department. As a law enforcement officer, Major Cochran has served in uniform patrol, the investigative division and has been an instructor at the training academy.

Major Cochran is nationally known for his work in the field of crisis intervention. In addition to receiving the City University of New York (CUNY) John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement News Person of the Year Award (2000), the National Alliance of the Mentally Ill (NAMI) has named their annual law enforcement advocacy award after Major Cochran. He has worked with police departments throughout the nation as well as departments in Canada, Australia, and England.