Crisis Intervention
This refection paper will explore a qualitative studies of Crises Intervention Team training as an essential program for all police departments across the United States. My findings will show that the “best practice” model is from the Memphis Police Department. Study material was found from: a Florida study showing benefits in officer safety, The Toronto Mobile Crisis Intervention Team (MCIT) model, Dr. Raymond B. Flannery keys for intervention, Crisis Intervention Teams in Chicago: Successes on the Ground, and finally an interview with Sedgwick County Sheriff Detective Narciso Narvais, leader of the local Crisis Intervention Team. Law enforcement across the United States encounter many routine calls each day. Some dealing with domestic
…show more content…
Their study suggested several reasons for supporting the implementation of this program. Police officers have reported feeling better prepared to manage mental health individual(s). Officers have reported the typical stigma about mental illness has decreased dramatically after the completion of the training. The local mental health providers are engaging more frequently with law enforcement thus creating partnerships, and in other cases changing policy to mandate those partnerships. The Chicago Police Department reports a drop in individuals being arrested (specifically concerning assaults on law enforcement …show more content…
Out of 20 police officers who were interviewed, there were 15 who agreed that Crisis Intervention Teams were a success and trained them for the particular aspects of interacting with individuals with mental health illnesses. A Sergeant reported while taking the training “The most bizarre was when they [CIT trainers] gave us headphones to listen to what it sounds like to be listening to something else in your head, and then they give you crossword puzzles and you try to do ‘em. I mean, after a while, it really, really irritated me.... I’ve encountered numerous people on the street, and I’m talking to them like I’m talking to you, and I’m not even there. And as police officers, we immediately think, “Oh, they’re ignoring us,” you know, now we gotta take some physical action. But, to actually be aware that something is going on, a conversation, a dialog, noises are going on in someone else’s head, which was very helpful.” (Sergeant from a high-resource, high-saturation district). “I wanted different tools as far as how to talk to people, relax, and take your time like a calming effect. And after all, a lot of times, we’re called on attempted suicides.... What does it take if I have to stay there an extra 10 or 15 minutes to talk somebody down or hold their hand to save a life? And we’ve saved lives already, so the training works.” (Officer from a high-resource,
Their study suggested several reasons for supporting the implementation of this program. Police officers have reported feeling better prepared to manage mental health individual(s). Officers have reported the typical stigma about mental illness has decreased dramatically after the completion of the training. The local mental health providers are engaging more frequently with law enforcement thus creating partnerships, and in other cases changing policy to mandate those partnerships. The Chicago Police Department reports a drop in individuals being arrested (specifically concerning assaults on law enforcement …show more content…
Out of 20 police officers who were interviewed, there were 15 who agreed that Crisis Intervention Teams were a success and trained them for the particular aspects of interacting with individuals with mental health illnesses. A Sergeant reported while taking the training “The most bizarre was when they [CIT trainers] gave us headphones to listen to what it sounds like to be listening to something else in your head, and then they give you crossword puzzles and you try to do ‘em. I mean, after a while, it really, really irritated me.... I’ve encountered numerous people on the street, and I’m talking to them like I’m talking to you, and I’m not even there. And as police officers, we immediately think, “Oh, they’re ignoring us,” you know, now we gotta take some physical action. But, to actually be aware that something is going on, a conversation, a dialog, noises are going on in someone else’s head, which was very helpful.” (Sergeant from a high-resource, high-saturation district). “I wanted different tools as far as how to talk to people, relax, and take your time like a calming effect. And after all, a lot of times, we’re called on attempted suicides.... What does it take if I have to stay there an extra 10 or 15 minutes to talk somebody down or hold their hand to save a life? And we’ve saved lives already, so the training works.” (Officer from a high-resource,