Staff

Marla Kingkade has worked within the law enforcement and mental health communities for 35 years. Ms. Kingkade developed several programs involving mental health for law enforcement jurisdictions, including juvenile diversion programs for the El Cajon Police Department, the La Mesa Police Department, and the San Diego Police Department. In 1996, Ms. Kingkade implemented the Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT) for the San Diego Police Department. Two years later, she incorporated PERT as a 501(c)(3) organization and the PERT program became countywide, involving several law enforcement jurisdictions, including the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, San Diego Police Department, and eleven additional law enforcement agencies. In addition to her work with PERT, Ms. Kingkade was the Public Relations and Community Outreach Officer for the La Mesa Police Department.

Ms. Kingkade currently works for the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. She is responsible for the development and facilitation of de-escalation and crisis management trainings for San Diego County law enforcement. In addition to her work with the District Attorney’s Office, she facilitates the Meth Strike Force and the Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force.

Ms. Kingkade is the President of the California Crisis Intervention Training Association and a past member of the Board of Directors for Survivors of Suicide Loss.