CIT Training for Law Enforcement Professionals

What is Crisis Intervention Team Training?
Sponsored nationally by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the CIT program trains officers and others to handle incidents involving people who have a mental illness, to manage crisis situations for the safety of everyone involved and to learn about alternatives to jail.

Communication and de-escalation techniques, uses and effects of psychotropic medication, serious emotional problems in children, dual-diagnosis of mental illness and alcohol and drug addiction, alternatives to jail, information about local service providers, are all part of the 40-hour classroom and hands-on CIT training.

The program draws from a collaboration among law enforcement, the Mental Health & Recovery Board and its network of agencies, mental health and recovery professionals, the National Alliance on Mental Illness Portage County, persons who are receiving services for a mental illness and family members.

Statistics from CIT programs across the country have shown that the training reduces injury to officers and others involved in incidents. It also decreases the number of persons in the court system because they can be diverted into community services. The Portage County Chief’s Association has adopted the Crisis Intervention Team Training as a countywide program coordinated by the Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County with assistance from the Portage County Sheriff’s Office.

The Mental Health & Recovery Board introduced the CIT program in April 2006. There are now more than 250 officers trained. Every police department in the county and the Portage County Sheriff’s Department have staff trained through CIT.

In its job overseeing a system of mental health and recovery services for county residents, the Mental Health & Recovery Board is focusing on coordination that helps support persons in the community with appropriate mental health and recovery services while using funds efficiently to provide quality service. With CIT training, law enforcement professionals collaborate as gatekeepers referring at-risk individuals into services. CIT also lessens the criminalization of persons whose behaviors are driven by mental health disorders.

The end result is to reduce repeat offenses and costs to the courts and law enforcement while helping consumers have stable lives in the community. This does not apply to persons in crisis who are charged with felonies or with crimes of violence unless the victim of the crime agrees to the alternative sentencing.

For information about Portage County CIT, contact Laura at 330-673-1756, ext 201,
or by email.

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