The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program is an innovative community partnership between law enforcement, mental health professionals, addiction specialists, individuals impacted by Behavioral Health (mental illness, developmental disabilities and addiction) and their advocates.
Clinical Psychologist Jamie Barrett from the Cambridge Police Department instructs a course in CIT.
Based off of a community policing program in Memphis, TN, CIT was designed with the goal that everyone will work together to identify appropriate resources for those in crisis. Another driving force of the CIT program is to redirect individuals with mental illness away from the criminal justice system and into the health care system whenever appropriate. Statistics indicate that in communities where a vigorous CIT program is in place and in practice, serious and fatal incidents decrease. After its creation in Memphis, the number of officer injuries sustained during a response to “mental disturbance” calls dropped 80% (1). The jail diversion associated with this program has also given more resource options for people with mental illness. This has led to a 58% decrease in the number of arrests of people with mental illness (2).
Outcome research has shown that implementation of a CIT program also increases confidence in officer’s response. The results of this program have paid out in dividends – it helps ensure officer and community safety in addition to the safety of the individuals in crisis.
Benefits of CIT
Reduction and severity of tragic incidents including significantly decreasing police officer injury rates
Positive community relationships
Efficient crisis response times
Increased officer confidence in skills
More efficient use of criminal justice resources – including increased jail diversion for those with a mental illness and substance use
Reduction in time spent responding to a mental health call
CIT International is a non-profit organization supporting local, national and international efforts to improve responses to people affected by mental illness. CIT International brings stakeholders together to highlight best practice models, improve community partnerships and develop practices that equip communities to serve people affected by mental illness with respect and dignity. Today CIT has grown to include 49 states and four countries!
To learn more click here: CIT Overview from CIT International
Sources:
1 Dupont, R., Cochran, S., & Bush, A. (1999) “Reducing criminalization among individuals with mental illness.” Presented at the US Department of Justice and Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Conference on Forensics and Mental Illness, Washington, DC, July 1999.
2 TAPA Center for Jail Diversion. (2004). “What can we say about the effectiveness of jail diversion programs for persons with cooccurring disorders?” The National GAINS Center. Accessed December 19, 2007 at: http://gainscenter.samhsa.gov/pdfs/ jail_diversion/WhatCanWeSay.pdf.