Crisis intervention training
Encyclopedia
"Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training" is a training program developed in a number of U.S. state
s to help police officer
s react appropriately to situations involving mental illness or developmental disability.
Communities large and small are seeking answers to managing crisis issues and crisis services. When changes are mandated, community collaborations and partnerships are the key. Advocates have long asserted that law enforcement personnel do not receive adequate mental health training, resulting in ineffective and sometimes fatal encounters or outcomes. In 1988, Memphis introduced the first crisis intervention team as a component to the community’s demand for safer, first responder crisis services.
CIT partnerships led to changes in existing systems and stimulated the development
of new infrastructures for services. Suicide attempts and mental health crisis concerns are recognized as a priority. Crises are about people, about our community, our families, our friends, and our loved ones. CIT is founded on principles of dignity, understanding, kindness,
hope and dedication. Major Sam Cochran, Ret.
, CIT programs were implemented following the death of James Chasse
, who was beaten and repeatedly tased
by three Portland
police officers. Chasse, who suffered from schizophrenia, sustained sixteen broken ribs, a broken shoulder and sternum, and massive internal injuries. He was taken to the city jail, where medical staff refused to admit him and ordered that he be taken to a hospital. However, he died en route. The three officers were never indicted for their part in the incident.
Chasse's death prompted an outcry in the media, in response to which Portland mayor Tom Potter
instituted a CIT program. Other cities and counties in Oregon followed suit.
The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office and San Antonio Police Department
in partnership with the Center for Healthcare Services (the local mental health authority) began its CIT program in October 2003.
The first CIT class was conducted in 2003 at the San Antonio State Hospital. A team of Houston PD Officers led by Officer Frank Webb traveled from Houston to “train the trainers”. This was the initial impetus for CIT development in San Antonio.
The goal of our CIT effort is to provide more efficient service to the community when responding to calls where a mentally ill person is in crisis, and to ensure the safety of both the officer and mental health consumer. CIT Officers are trained to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental illness and the medications used to treat them. CIT Officers have developed a close partnership with the local mental health authority, the Center for Health Care Services, The University Hospital System, the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, and the many public and private mental health providers in the City of San Antonio. Our community partnership has led to more effective service to persons with mental illness,, the diversion of mentally ill persons from jail to treatment, and a commitment from the community to build and fund a Crisis Care Center which will provide "24/7" medical and mental health care exclusively for law enforcement officers.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
s to help police officer
Police officer
A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force...
s react appropriately to situations involving mental illness or developmental disability.
Communities large and small are seeking answers to managing crisis issues and crisis services. When changes are mandated, community collaborations and partnerships are the key. Advocates have long asserted that law enforcement personnel do not receive adequate mental health training, resulting in ineffective and sometimes fatal encounters or outcomes. In 1988, Memphis introduced the first crisis intervention team as a component to the community’s demand for safer, first responder crisis services.
CIT partnerships led to changes in existing systems and stimulated the development
of new infrastructures for services. Suicide attempts and mental health crisis concerns are recognized as a priority. Crises are about people, about our community, our families, our friends, and our loved ones. CIT is founded on principles of dignity, understanding, kindness,
hope and dedication. Major Sam Cochran, Ret.
Oregon
In the state of OregonOregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, CIT programs were implemented following the death of James Chasse
James Chasse
James Philip Chasse, Jr. was an American singer and writer from Portland, Oregon. In 2006 his death while in the custody of Oregon law enforcement officers caused an outcry over civil rights and an examination of the lack of crisis management training given to Portland police officers...
, who was beaten and repeatedly tased
Taser
A Taser is an electroshock weapon that uses electrical current to disrupt voluntary control of muscles. Its manufacturer, Taser International, calls the effects "neuromuscular incapacitation" and the devices' mechanism "Electro-Muscular Disruption technology"...
by three Portland
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
police officers. Chasse, who suffered from schizophrenia, sustained sixteen broken ribs, a broken shoulder and sternum, and massive internal injuries. He was taken to the city jail, where medical staff refused to admit him and ordered that he be taken to a hospital. However, he died en route. The three officers were never indicted for their part in the incident.
Chasse's death prompted an outcry in the media, in response to which Portland mayor Tom Potter
Tom Potter
Tom Potter is the former Mayor of the city of Portland, Oregon in the United States. He was elected in 2004, and left office in January 2009. He was succeeded by City Commissioner Sam Adams. Prior to Potter's service as mayor, he was Portland's police chief....
instituted a CIT program. Other cities and counties in Oregon followed suit.
Texas
Bexar County, San AntonioThe Bexar County Sheriff’s Office and San Antonio Police Department
San Antonio Police Department
The San Antonio Police Department is the municipal police department of San Antonio; it is headquartered in Downtown San Antonio.The department can trace its beginnings to 1846 when the first City Marshal was appointed. The city had its laws enforced only by Texas Rangers and the City Marshals...
in partnership with the Center for Healthcare Services (the local mental health authority) began its CIT program in October 2003.
The first CIT class was conducted in 2003 at the San Antonio State Hospital. A team of Houston PD Officers led by Officer Frank Webb traveled from Houston to “train the trainers”. This was the initial impetus for CIT development in San Antonio.
The goal of our CIT effort is to provide more efficient service to the community when responding to calls where a mentally ill person is in crisis, and to ensure the safety of both the officer and mental health consumer. CIT Officers are trained to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental illness and the medications used to treat them. CIT Officers have developed a close partnership with the local mental health authority, the Center for Health Care Services, The University Hospital System, the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, and the many public and private mental health providers in the City of San Antonio. Our community partnership has led to more effective service to persons with mental illness,, the diversion of mentally ill persons from jail to treatment, and a commitment from the community to build and fund a Crisis Care Center which will provide "24/7" medical and mental health care exclusively for law enforcement officers.