The Crisis
Intervention Team (CIT) law enforcement training model was established in Memphis,
Tennessee in 1987 following an incident where an individual with a mental
health disorder and substance abuse history was fatally shot during police
response to a crisis situation. As a result of public outcry for alternative
ways of intervening when responding to situations involving persons with mental
illness, the Memphis Police Department joined in partnership with the Memphis
Chapter of the Alliance for the Mentally Ill, mental health providers and two
local universities. These groups worked together to develop and organize a
specialized training and support model for law enforcement to ensure a safe and
compassionate response to mental health crises. Since then, hundreds of police
departments in the United States and across the world have participated in
training their officers in the Crisis Intervention Team Model.
Are the Trainings only available for Law Enforcement?
No. Mount Rogers provides trainings for area Dispatchers as well. Realistically, CIT training will benefit anyone who responds to potentially emergent situations, such as other health and human service workers, Emergency Medical Service (EMS), Ambulance and Rescue Squad personnel, Fire Departments, Emergency Room staff, etc.
CIT - What Happened at Mount Rogers?
Part of the mission of Mount Rogers Community Services Board is a dedication to improving the quality of life for people with mental, physical and substance use intervention needs. How better to segue the mission statement than to seek involvement with Crisis Intervention Team training. Early in 2006, when Requests for Funding Proposals were identified, several Emergency Services staff worked diligently to identify and propose how law enforcement in the rural communities served by the Board could be assisted by training as they respond to consumers in crisis.
In July 2006, through grant funding provided by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), Mount Rogers Community Services Board launched Crisis Intervention Team services for law enforcement in the counties of Bland, Carroll, Grayson, Smyth, Wythe and the City of Galax. A Steering Committee was developed, including representatives from law enforcement, Mount Rogers’ staff, community service providers and mental health consumers, to establish guidelines for CIT in the rural communities served by Mount Rogers. Several Steering Committee members and law enforcement personnel completed various trainings held by New River Valley CIT professionals. In September 2006, Steering Committee members and law enforcement representatives attended the National CIT Conference held in Orlando, FL. In March 2007, Mount Rogers provided their 2.5-hour training on Crisis Intervention Team for 100% of the E-911 dispatchers for the city of Galax and the Twin Counties. In May and June 2007, Mount Rogers hosted two separate 40-hour trainings for law enforcement, bringing the total number of trained officers in the catchment area to thirty-six.
In July 2007, Mount Rogers Community Services Board received renewal of the grant funds from the Department of Criminal Justice to hire a fulltime CIT Coordinator and to continue providing Crisis Intervention Team training for law enforcement officers and dispatchers in the aforementioned counties. In August 2007, Steering Committee representatives and law enforcement personnel traveled to Memphis, TN for the annual CIT National Conference. In September 2007, Mount Rogers hired a fulltime CIT Coordinator. In October 2007, the Coordinator and Steering Committee representatives provided training for 100% of the Wythe County Sheriff Office’s dispatchers and the third CIT law enforcement training was held. Fourteen officers were trained, including two officers from the Virginia State Police, thus bringing the total number of Mount Rogers-trained CIT officers to fifty.
Following the training, the Coordinator began to actively network with law enforcement from Mount Rogers’ service area, promoting training for law enforcement and dispatch personnel. In addition to providing inservice on CIT for various programs within Mount Rogers, in December 2007, 100% of the Bland County Sheriff’s Office dispatchers participated in the 2.5-hour training.
What Does the Officers’ Training Entail?
During the 40-hour training, officers learn about various disabling conditions and services that are available to mental health consumers. On one of the training days, officers travel to visit a variety of public and private mental health facilities in the region; on another day, officers listen to consumers share their experiences about pre-CIT law enforcement intervention while in crises. Throughout the week, valuable information about specific obstacles that people with mental illness must overcome or live with on a day-to-day basis is provided by professionals from the fields of mental health, medicine, law enforcement and the judiciary.
Role playing is an integral
part of the training, allowing officers the opportunity to practice techniques
they have learned regarding CIT de-escalation. Mount Rogers’ staff
and Steering Committee members, in portrayal of real-life examples of mental
health consumers in crises, provide the backdrop for officers’ active role play
involvement.
As a wrap-up for the weeklong CIT training, officers participate in a graduation exercise, where they receive a certificate of completion, a CIT t-shirt and a pin to be worn on their uniforms identifying them to their community as Crisis Intervention Team trained officers. Forty in-service credit hours, approved by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, are awarded to each officer following completion of the training; this includes Career Development (34 hours), Legal (4 hours) and Cultural Diversity (2 hours).
What do the Dispatchers Learn?
During the 2.5-hour training, dispatchers are provided
information on Crisis Intervention Team history and concepts. An overview of
various mental illnesses is provided, as well as available service resources
and medication information. Role playing is also integral to this training,
giving the dispatchers practice for interacting with mentally ill consumers via
telephone.
Upon completion of the training, the dispatchers are provided with a Certificate of Completion.
What is the Departmental Response from Law Enforcement?
As previously stated, Mount Rogers Community Services Board provides services in Bland, Carroll, Grayson, Smyth and Wythe Counties and the City of Galax. Area leaders in law enforcement are very interested in ensuring their officers receive training, including CIT. The following list identifies the percentage of trained officers, as of November 2007:
