Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Articles by Teller, J. L. S. Articles by Ritter, C. Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Teller, J. L. S. Articles by Ritter, C. Mentally Ill Offenders Staff Training Other Violence/Aggression Related Article

Crisis Intervention Team Training for Police Officers Responding to Mental Disturbance Calls

OBJECTIVES: In recognition of the fact that police are often the first responders for individuals who are experiencing a mental illness crisis, police departments nationally are incorporating specialized training for officers in collaboration with local mental health systems. This study examined police dispatch data before and after implementation of a crisis intervention team (CIT) program to assess the effect of the training on officers' disposition of calls. METHODS: The authors analyzed police dispatch logs for two years before and four years after implementation of the CIT program in Akron, Ohio, to determine monthly average rates of mental disturbance calls compared with the overall rate of calls to the police, disposition of mental disturbance calls by time and training, and the effects of techniques on voluntariness of disposition. RESULTS: Since the training program was implemented, there has been an increase in the number and proportion of calls involving possible mental illness, an increased rate of transport by CIT-trained officers of persons experiencing mental illness crises to emergency treatment facilities, an increase in transport on a voluntary status, and no significant changes in the rate of arrests by time or training. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that a CIT partnership between the police department, the mental health system, consumers of services, and their family members can help in efforts to assist persons who are experiencing a mental illness crisis to gain access to the treatment system, where such individuals most often are best served.

Related Article:

February 2006: This Month's Highlights
Psychiatr Serv 2006 57: 171. [Full Text] [PDF]

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. T. Compton, B. Demir, J. R. Oliva, and T. Boyce Crisis Intervention Team Training and Special Weapons and Tactics Callouts in an Urban Police Department Psychiatr Serv, June 1, 2009; 60(6): 831 - 833. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. T. Compton, M. Bahora, A. C. Watson, and J. R. Oliva A Comprehensive Review of Extant Research on Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Programs J Am Acad Psychiatry Law, March 1, 2008; 36(1): 47 - 55. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Skeem and L. Bibeau How Does Violence Potential Relate to Crisis Intervention Team Responses to Emergencies? Psychiatr Serv, February 1, 2008; 59(2): 201 - 204. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Furumoto-Dawson, S. Gehlert, D. Sohmer, O. Olopade, and T. Sacks Early-Life Conditions And Mechanisms Of Population Health Vulnerabilities Health Aff., September 1, 2007; 26(5): 1238 - 1248. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Boyd Appropriate Use of Police Officers? Psychiatr Serv, December 1, 2006; 57(12): 1811 - 1811. [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. R. Munetz, A. Morrison, J. Krake, B. Young, and Lt. M. Woody State Mental Health Policy: Statewide Implementation of the Crisis Intervention Team Program: The Ohio Model Psychiatr Serv, November 1, 2006; 57(11): 1569 - 1571. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2006 American Psychiatric Association. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us