Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training is a specialized program designed primarily for law enforcement to improve their response to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. The goal is to enhance public safety by shifting the response paradigm from a purely punitive approach to one focused on behavioral health and treatment. This training equips officers with the skills necessary to safely de-escalate situations and connect individuals in distress to appropriate community resources rather than the criminal justice system.
Defining Crisis Intervention Training
Crisis Intervention Training is a collaborative, community-based approach built on strong partnerships between law enforcement, mental health providers, and advocates, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). This model represents a philosophical shift in policing, viewing a mental health crisis as a medical emergency requiring a health-oriented response, not a purely criminal matter. The core component is a standardized, intensive training course for officers, typically lasting 40 hours over one week. This training creates a dedicated, specialized team of officers who volunteer for this unique role. The success of CIT relies on this collaborative structure to ensure that when an officer diverts an individual, the mental health system is prepared to receive them and provide care.
The Origins and Structure of the CIT Model
The origins of the modern CIT model trace back to Memphis, Tennessee, where the program was developed in 1988 following a tragic incident involving a police shooting of a man with a mental illness. This event served as the catalyst for the Memphis Police Department to partner with the local NAMI chapter, mental health providers, and universities. What emerged became known as the “Memphis Model,” which is now the template used nationally and internationally for crisis response reform. The tripartite partnership is responsible for the curriculum, the selection of officers, and the establishment of policies for handling crisis calls. A central element of the structure is the designated psychiatric emergency receiving facility, which agrees to a “no refusal” policy and provides a single point of entry for appropriate referrals.
Core Components of the CIT Curriculum
Recognizing Signs of Mental Illness and Crisis
A foundational element of the training involves educating officers on the symptoms and manifestations of common behavioral health conditions. Officers learn to identify indicators of illnesses such as psychosis, major depression, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The curriculum also covers co-occurring conditions, including substance use disorders and developmental disabilities, and how these conditions can contribute to a crisis situation.
Verbal De-escalation Techniques
The training provides officers with communication strategies designed to stabilize a potentially volatile situation without resorting to force. Officers learn techniques like active listening, which involves reflecting the person’s feelings to build rapport and demonstrate empathy. The training emphasizes maintaining a safe distance, using calm and non-confrontational language, and reducing environmental stimuli that might heighten the person’s distress. These skills are intended to lower the emotional temperature of the encounter, allowing the officer to safely manage the situation through negotiation.
Understanding Mental Health Resources
Officers receive detailed instruction on the mental health resources available within their jurisdiction to ensure a seamless transition of care. This includes learning about local community mental health centers, psychiatric hospitals, and social service agencies. A significant part of this component involves understanding the process for involuntary commitment and the criteria for diverting an individual to a treatment facility. The goal is to facilitate a “warm handoff,” where the individual is connected directly to services rather than simply being left with a phone number or a general referral.
Scenario-Based Practice and Role-Playing
Practical application is a central feature of the curriculum, with a focus on building officer confidence and competency in real-world settings. This involves realistic practice sessions where officers interact with professional crisis actors or mental health consumers and family members. These role-playing exercises allow officers to practice de-escalation techniques, assess a person’s condition, and decide on the most appropriate course of action under simulated stress. Feedback from trainers, peers, and the actors helps officers refine their communication and intervention skills before they encounter a live crisis situation.
Who Receives CIT Training
The primary target audience for CIT is a select group of patrol officers who volunteer to receive the specialized training. Law enforcement agencies aim to have a sufficient number of CIT-trained officers to ensure 24/7 availability across all shifts and precincts. These officers function as specialists, responding to calls identified by dispatch as involving a person in a mental health crisis. The principles of CIT have also expanded to other roles within the public safety and correctional systems. Dispatchers, fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel, and correctional and jail staff are increasingly receiving training to improve their interactions with individuals with behavioral health needs.
The Impact of CIT on Community Safety and Outcomes
CIT programs have demonstrated success in achieving their goals of diversion and safety in communities where they are fully implemented. Studies show that CIT-trained officers are significantly more likely to divert individuals to mental health services instead of making an arrest, achieving pre-booking jail diversion. This shift reduces the burden on the criminal justice system and ensures people receive appropriate clinical care. Officers who complete the training report feeling better prepared and more confident in their ability to handle calls involving people with mental illnesses, which translates to improved officer safety. Furthermore, the emphasis on de-escalation leads to a reduction in the use of force, improving public trust and raising awareness about mental illness.
Conclusion
Crisis Intervention Team training plays a significant role in modernizing the way law enforcement responds to mental health crises. By providing officers with specialized knowledge and de-escalation skills, the program transforms potentially volatile encounters into opportunities for compassionate intervention and linkage to care. Continued investment in the standardization and expansion of CIT nationwide is necessary to ensure that individuals in crisis are met with a therapeutic response instead of a purely enforcement-focused one.