CIT Training Overview

CIT Training is a 40 hour course comprised around five key themes: Increased Understanding of Behavioral Health, Effective Communication and engagement skills, Verbal and Tactical De-escalation, Navigating Community Resources, and Risk assessment tools. Officers who have completed this training learn to understand commons signs and symptoms of mental illness and recognize them in crisis situations. They are also equipped with the knowledge and skills to guide best practice response to individuals impacted by psychiatric illness, developmental disorders, and co-occurring substance use disorders. Additionally, CIT training is tactically sound. Police training related to officer and public safety is always paramount. Officers who have attended the training have shared how they utilize skills learned in CIT training on the job daily.

The 40 hour course is designed for patrol officers who have regular interactions with community members experiencing a crisis. However, variations of CIT training and its components are available and recommended for all levels of law enforcement: Dispatchers, Officers and Supervisors. See below for a summary of topics covered.

Dispatch

It is important that dispatchers are part of the CIT initiative. Additional training on how to recognize a call as a CIT crisis event and accurately coded as such is vital. Training also provides guidance regarding gathering information from collateral providers to inform officer safety; risk assessment and disposition.   Metro Boston TTAC is offering an eight hour training, “CIT Overview and the Role of Dispatch”. To learn more about upcoming training opportunities click here.

Supervisors

We encourage all Supervisors to take the 40 hour CIT class. However, we recognize that staffing limitations make scheduling difficult. It is recommended that Supervisors and Administrators participate in CIT for Supervisors training which is a 16 hour overview. Any Supervisor interested in learning more should email jkorn@police.somerville.ma.us.

CIT Training for Officers

What does the training include?

CIT training provides information to increase understanding of the dynamics of communication and de-escalation strategies that can be implemented to assist in resolving a situation. CIT training provides officers scenario-based training to guide and inform decisions that can be applied in the community. Officers who have completed CIT training should be given a pin which is to be worn on their lapel pocket under their badge number. All officers are encouraged to take CIT when it becomes available. In Massachusetts many departments have set a goal to train 100% of their officers in the 40 CIT program. CIT International recommends a minimum of 20% of sworn officers to be trained in CIT. Setting your goal should be informed by calls for service related to mental health. Data collection can help to identify needs. Many communities are experiencing a high volume of calls, which may indicate the need to train more officers to allow for informed response across all shifts. For more information about how to best collect data click here.

• Presentations from mental health professionals and experienced officers in Metro Boston Area. One core element of a successful CIT program is connecting officers with a team of clinicians and fellow officers who can educate, help problem-solving skills and support them when a challenging situation occurs in the line of duty pertaining to those in crisis. Presenters cover a broad range of topics including: a brief overview of different disorders, Suicide Prevention, Implicit Bias, PTSD, Homelessness, Addiction, Hoarding and Crisis Negotiation to name a few. An entire day is also dedicated to simulation and active role playing because we value the importance of practice and are committed to providing attendees with the opportunity to apply some of the skills CIT training emphasizes.

• In Our Own Voice. This includes conversations with people who have experienced and recovered from mental health crisis personally and with family members who have cared for loved ones with mental illness. With the collaboration efforts of NAMI, their members help present at the training. This vital interaction provides officers a first-hand opportunity to hear stories of recovery, ask questions about mental illness and learn the best way to help when a person is in a crisis.

• Verbal De-escalation skills. Another main focus of CIT is the safety of officers when dealing with calls. So this part focuses on verbal commands, an officer approach and body language which can encourage a person to get help or even help diffuse a situation when a person is having an episode.

• Scenario-based training. With the help of trainers, officers are able to practice their skills learned in the bulk of the training in common crisis situations. This is to help officers see how these skills can be used in practice, and with the help of feedback from classmates/instructors, learn to improve their skill set as well.

Sign Up

If you would like to learn more about CIT or register for training contact Patty Contente at pcontente@police.somerville.ma.us.