Keys to the Successful Development and

Implementation of a CIT Program

Frank WebbSenior Police Officer

Houston Police Department

#1

•What’s all this talk about collaboration?

Collaboration• Local mental health

•NAMI

• Advocacy groups

• Expertise

• Resources

• “Selling” the program

• Editorials/media

• Advocating for the program

• Facilities

• Politics

•Buy in/Belief in the program from the top down

#2

Buy-in•Officer safety

• Satisfaction/Confidence of officers

• Reduction in liability

• Positive community relations

• Jail diversion

• Community policing

• “Right” thing to do

#3

•Market/teach as an officer safety program

Officer Safety

• Police program

•#1 goal: officer and consumer safety

• Strong police presence in training

•Not warm fuzzy social work

•Not cultural diversity

• Proven to help officers de-escalate serious mental health crises

#4

•Involve first-line supervisors in the training/program

#5

•Don’t forget dispatch!

#6

•Provide annual refresher training

#7

•Quantitative and qualitative data

Data• Number and percent of CIT officers by station and shift

• Percent of CIT calls dispatched to/responded to by CIT officers

• Number of CIT calls received by department

• Data concerning officer and consumer injuries (pre/post is best)

• Feedback from officers regarding program

• Feedback from community regarding program, including mental health professionals

•The program is more than just training: the need for a program coordinator

#8

Coordinator• Liaison with mental health community

• Liaison with citizens

• Collect and analyze data

•Develop and provide refresher training

•Maintain staffing levels

• Recognize CIT officers

• Responsible for CIT policy/procedure

•Department expert regarding mental health matters

• Respond to officer/program concerns/needs

•Do anything you can to recognize your CIT officers

#9

Recognition•Newsletters

• Subscriptions to magazines

•Gift certificates

• Awards banquets

• Specialty pay

• Better cars

• Insignia pins

• CIT uniform jackets

• Preference given for training classes

• Preference given for positions, e.g., FTO, crisis negotiation, etc.

The Great DebateVoluntary

•Interest in program/positive attitude

•Belief it takes a certain type of officer for this work

•Smaller group/more experience

Involuntary

•CIT is part of policing today

•The training is applicable in any crisis situation, not just mental health crises

•~ 50% of a police officer’s job involves crisis de-escalation

Looking Beyond CIT

•CIRT

•CCSI

•CIT specialization

•CIT for SWAT

•CIT for negotiators