Stanislaus deputies trained on managing emotions after series of criminal cases
The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office put about 200 of its deputies and supervisors through an emotional intelligence course last week, part of an effort to improve decision-making and community relations after several deputies were arrested, sentenced or died in violent incidents in recent months.
The training, led by Florida-based RITE Academy, focused on teaching law enforcement officers to better manage their own emotions, recognize emotions in others and de-escalate tense situations. RITE stands for Repairing Instruments Training & Education.
Sessions ran Tuesday through Friday at the department’s Regional Training Center in Modesto, with about 50 employees rotating through the eight-hour class each day.
Sgt. Nathan Crain, who oversees the training division, said the program was booked about a year ago but proved especially timely given the department’s recent challenges.
“We believe that learning and understanding better the managing of our own emotions, and then recognizing yours, we can reduce citizen complaints, we can reduce any kind of negative encounter with the members of our community,” Crain said.
He added that while the course wasn’t prompted by deputy arrests, it reinforced the sheriff’s core values and gave employees tools beyond traditional tactical instruction.
“This training provides a new, fresh perspective from a private vendor that’s going to provide for us some techniques and tactics to better engage in any type of an encounter, be it professional or personal,” Crain said.
Founded in 2015, RITE Academy has trained thousands of officers nationwide on emotional and social intelligence, workplace wellness and decision-making. Co-founder Randy Friedman said the program grew out of a need to address officer suicides, post-traumatic stress disorder and the effects of workplace stress.
“When you control your emotions, you control every situation, whether it’s at home or at work,” Friedman said. “It’s not a one and done, check-the-box training. We leave them with a whole bunch of tools … an awareness ladder of 18 emotions, breathing and focus techniques, and ways to reset after stressful encounters.”
Friedman said agencies that have implemented the training have reported a 60% increase in compliments and a 50% decrease in complaints from the public.
The Sheriff’s Office divided last week’s sessions between deputies, jail staff, supervisors and management. Crain said the long-term goal is to send a core group of employees to a “train-the-trainer” program so the office can continue offering the course internally.
The training came as the Sheriff’s Office has faced a series of high-profile cases involving deputies charged with or convicted of crimes — and in one instance, a homicide-suicide involving a detective. Sheriff Jeff Dirkse has previously acknowledged those incidents have damaged public trust in the agency.
Department officials said the emotional intelligence training was one step toward rebuilding that trust.
“Our emotions don’t change. It doesn’t matter if you’re a civilian staff, subordinate, or manager,” Crain said. “The way that we react and respond to encounters doesn’t change. That’s what we’re trying to address.”
Cases Involving Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Deputies
Deputy Curtis Ray Hankins Sr. — Arrested Aug. 4 in Tuolumne County after allegedly entering his estranged wife’s home while in uniform and using his patrol vehicle.
Former Deputy Israel Morales — Arrested in May on suspicion of sexual assault and kidnapping after allegedly forcing at least one woman to perform oral sex to avoid being taken to jail.
Former Detective Daniel Hutsell — Found dead with his wife, Dinella Hutsell, in their Hughson home in May. Modesto police confirmed the case was a homicide-suicide after a child called 911.
Former Deputy Matthew Dessert — Arrested in 2023 on five counts of child sexual abuse. He was convicted in July and sentenced in August to nine years in prison.
Former Custodial Deputy Jonathan McClure — Arrested in 2023 on suspicion of having a sexual relationship with an inmate. He was convicted in February of engaging in sexual relations with an incarcerated person and bringing contraband into a jail facility.
Former Deputy Chad Kewen Lewis — Arrested in 2023 and charged with a misdemeanor count of inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant.
This story was originally published August 18, 2025 at 5:00 PM.
