Crisis Intervention:  How Local Police Are Trained to Make a Difference.

 

by Steve Bell, President, DBSA Colorado Springs

 

  For mental health consumers and their families the thought of dialing 911 and having a police cruiser show up at their home, place of work, or school is frightening.   However there are situations where getting law enforcement involved when someone is having a serious psychiatric episode (such as extreme depression, mania, or threat of violence) is required. One of  DBSA Colorado Springs' professional advisors, Brian Bain, MD, explained to this writer that calling 911 for medical and/or police assistance is the only option available in certain situations.  Says Dr. Bain, "Legally, there is no other choice when a patient refuses to seek treatment on their own.  If the person is so ill they are unable to care for themselves or are a danger to themselves or to others, they need to be taken to the nearest emergency room.  Safety for the patient and the family becomes the top priority."

 

  The Colorado Springs Police Department, Fountain Police Department, and the El Paso County Sheriff's office all have officers who are trained in crisis intervention.   On Tuesday, December 11th, Lieutenant  Fletcher Howard from CSPD visited our chapter's Friends and Family support group.  With 10 people braving snow, ice and freezing temperatures to be there, Lt. Howard (who heads up the program), described what a CIT (crisis intervention team) officer does, and the extensive training they go through.   Support group members were encouraged to ask questions, and literature about the CIT program was distributed to the group.

 

  Based on a program that was first developed by law enforcement professionals in Tennessee, CSPD, with help and encouragement from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), CIT training was introduced in 2004.  So far 132 officers have been trained.  The week-long, 40-hour program educates officers on how to de-escalate a situation, awareness of legal issues, and establishing communication with the parties involved.  Presentations are also made by and about local mental health and substance abuse organizations that police can use as information or service resources.

   One of the unique aspects is the use of professional actors (most of whom are mental health consumers) to do realistic role-plays with the officers.  The actors may play the role of a family member or the consumer in crisis.  There is a lot of give an take in the course of training so that police personnel gain an understanding of real-life situations from the point of view of those they are trying to help, and also have opportunities to express their thoughts and feelings about being the front-line responders after the 911 call is made.

 

  Lt. Howard made it clear that the training program is constantly being evaluated and efforts made to improve it.  As resources become available, he hopes to see four or five CIT classes held in 2008.   He also empathized that a CIT officer may not  be available to respond on every call that warrants this type of intervention.  As was pointed out by some of the support group members, public resources for helping the mentally ill are limited due to governmental priorities.  The help available from CSPD and other law enforcement agencies is also subject to such funding and budget constraints.

 

  Mary Renoux, former DBSA Colorado Springs Board member and veteran facilitator, attended the meeting.  She was impressed by Lt. Howard's caring attitude and professionalism.  "Not everyone's questions were answered, but we all

 

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