Mission Statement: The Metro Boston Crisis Intervention Team Training and Technical Assistance Center utilizes an integrated public health and public safety lens to inform response to individuals impacted by behavioral health, support officer wellness, develop policy and procedure and improve communication across behavioral health and criminal justice partners.
Through training, guidance on CIT implementation and adaptation of Police records management systems we aim to increase utilization of behavioral health resources, increase data collection and establish best practice interventions.
Our training and models are developed with a multidisciplinary approach informed by collaborations between: law enforcement, mental health professionals, stakeholders, families and individuals impacted by behavioral health. Together we will: increase safety for officers and citizens; inform response to direct and facilitate connection toward services with a goal of increasing quality of life and diversion from the criminal justice system when appropriate.
Beyond CIT Road Trip!
This month the Metro Boston CIT-TTAC presented Chief James A. Cogan from the Acton Police Department and Chief Jennifer M. Paster from the Brookline Police Department with a Beyond CIT: Leaders, Champions & Visionaries Award! Both Chiefs were selected for being innovative leaders and their ongoing dedication to community members struggling with mental illness, substance use and trauma. Chief Cogan and Chief Paster are known advocates for community collaboration and were also recognized for their unwavering support to the well-being of First Responders, implementing programs specifically for Officer wellness through PEER Support groups.
Chief Cogan and Chief Paster embody progressive, compassionate policing that prioritizes mental health and community trust. Under their leadership, their respective departments have made great strides in behavioral health response. Congratulations Chief Cogan and Chief Paster!
To learn more about Metro Boston CIT TTAC events and trainings visit their website at https://www.metrobostoncit.org/
Café com COHR!
The Somerville Police Department and the Community Outreach, Help & Recovery (COHR) Unit took some time once again to celebrate diversity with SomerViva: Office of Immigrant Affairs!
On Tuesday, June 17, 2025, the COHR Unit, Dispatcher Joan McKenna and Lt. Diogo DeOliveira of the Somerville Police Department met with Rafael Peruzzo, Portuguese Service Coordinator, and Portuguese speaking Senior community members at the Ralph & Jenny Center during a monthly Coffee Session. Residents had an opportunity to learn more about what happens when you call 911 and language capacity at the Department. COHR also provided information on resources available to Somerville residents through the Unit.
Beyond CIT: Leaders, Champions & Visionaries
On Thursday, May 15, 2025, the Metro Boston Crisis Intervention Team Training and Technical Assistance Center (MB CIT-TTAC) hosted their 5th annual Beyond CIT at the Boston Marriot in Peabody. This year’s theme Leaders, Champions & Visionaries highlighted the Police Chiefs that make this work possible. Additionally, we also recognized exceptional presenters with the expertise and ability to make content relevant for law enforcement and engage with them in meaningful ways throughout training.
Key note speaker, Neil Gang, retired Chief of Police for Pinole Police Department presented on the Integration of Organizational Wellness and Leadership. Chief Gang also touched upon the dynamics and impact of the profession responding to challenging and potentially traumatic calls and the many First Responder lives lost to suicide every year. Using the Asher Model, a 7 point approach to creating a culture of wellness, Chief Gang left participants with practical ways to improve quality of life including a sleep mask given to every attendee.
Policing is a legacy profession and each awardee demonstrated leadership and dedication to implementing the core principles of CIT, specifically creating a positive culture within their Department and Community. Congratulations to the winners of the 2025 CIT Visionary Awards: Chief James A. Cogan (Acton Police Department), Chief Patrick E. Keefe (Andover Police Department), Chief Jennifer M. Paster (Brookline Police Department), Chief Keith E. Houghton (Chelsea Police Department), Chief Christopher P. Reddy (Lynn Police Department), Chief Jack D. Buckley (Medford Police Department) and Boston Medical Center Grayken Center.
MB CIT TTAC is funded through support of the Department of Mental Health
The Metro Boston CIT TTAC trainings include: CIT, CIT Recertification, Advanced De-Escalation and Documentation, Blue Courage, Whole Health Resilience, Mind, Body & Spirit, CIT for Dispatch in addition to specialized topics related to behavioral health. Consultation is available to assist departments in implementing CIT; data collection and community collaborations.
Communities Served: Acton, Andover, Arlington, Babson College, Bedford, Belmont, Bentley University, Berklee College of Music, Beverly, Billerica, Boston, Boxborough, Boxford, Brandeis University, Brookline, Burlington, Bunker Hill Community College, Cambridge, Cambridge Health Alliance, Chelmsford, Chelsea, Clinton, College of Holy Cross, Concord, Danvers, Dracut, East Longmeadow, Endicott College, Essex, Everett, Fall River, Federal Reserve, Fort Devens, Georgetown, Gloucester, Groveland, Hanscom Air Force Base (66th Security Forces Squadron), Harvard University, Haverhill, Hingham, Ipswich, Lawrence, Lexington, Littleton, Lowell, Lynn, Lynnfield, Malden, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Marblehead, Massachusetts State Police, Maynard, MBTA, Medford, Melrose, Merrimac, Middleton, Mount Wachusett Community College, National Park Services, New England Center and Home for Veterans, Newbury, North Reading, Peabody, Reading, Revere, Rockport, Rowley, Salem, Sherborn, Somerville, South Hadley, Stoneham, Swampscott, Tewksbury, Topsfield, Tufts University, University of Massachusetts Boston, Wakefield, Waltham, Watertown, Weston, Wilmington, Winchester, Winthrop, and Woburn
If you don’t see your community listed, but would like to learn more about CIT training and implementation please contact Jennifer Korn at jkorn@police.somerville.ma.us.
This project is supported through funding from the Department of Mental Health (DMH)
