Effectiveness of Crisis Intervention Trainings for Law Enforcement

2019 ◽

Vol 93 (4) ◽

pp. 271-289 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jillian Peterson ◽

James Densley ◽

Gina Erickson

Keyword(s):

Law Enforcement ◽

Crisis Intervention ◽

Health Resources ◽

Police Department ◽

Preliminary Evidence ◽

Outcome Evaluation ◽

Calls For Service ◽

Model Research ◽

One Year

This study presents findings from a process and outcome evaluation of a custom crisis intervention and de-escalation training for law enforcement, delivered in-house to a suburban Minnesota police department (the R-Model: Research, Respond, Refer). Individual officer survey data showed the R-Model significantly decreased stigma and increased self-reported knowledge of mental health resources over baseline. Knowledge of resources held at the 4-month follow-up. One-year follow-up data at the agency level, showed decreases in the number of crisis calls for service and the number of repeat calls to the same addresses, even when compared to crisis call rates at similar police departments. Findings provide preliminary evidence that the R-Model may be an effective model that warrants additional study.

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Law enforcement agencies’ approach to de-escalation: Incorporating a social services perspective

Journal of Community Safety and Well-Being ◽

10.35502/jcswb.182 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 66-70

Author(s):

Lisa Deveau

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Law Enforcement ◽

Social Services ◽

Crisis Intervention ◽

Social Innovation ◽

Use Of Force ◽

Interdisciplinary Approach ◽

Law Enforcement Agencies ◽

Police Services ◽

Canadian Law

In this critical review and social innovation narrative, we analyze the literature regarding Canadian law enforcement agencies’ approach to de-escalation and crisis intervention. Using an interdisciplinary approach, we consider how the skills and values of social work can be used to inform and train officers on essential skills such as de-escalation and conflict resolution. We look at the systemic barriers to bringing about change within Canadian police forces as the current culture continues to be influenced by colonization and law enforcement continues to value and endorse use of force over de-escalation. While services can benefit by applying an interdisciplinary lens when training officers, the factors that impede this union and collaboration are discussed and explored as police services are given immense discretion in how they train and respond to mental health crises. In conclusion, we examine the government’s role in perpetuating these issues.

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Law enforcement and mental health clinician partnerships in global mental health: outcomes for the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) model adaptation in Liberia, West Africa

Global Mental Health ◽

10.1017/gmh.2019.31 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mina Boazak ◽

Sarah Yoss ◽

Brandon A. Kohrt ◽

Wilfred Gwaikolo ◽

Pat Strode ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Law Enforcement ◽

Crisis Intervention ◽

Global Mental Health ◽

Law Enforcement Officers ◽

The United States ◽

Crisis Intervention Team ◽

Knowledge And Attitudes ◽

Intervention Team ◽

Cit Model

Abstract Background The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) model is a law enforcement strategy that aims to build alliances between the law enforcement and mental health communities. Despite its success in the United States, CIT has not been used in low- and middle-income countries. This study assesses the immediate and 9-month outcomes of CIT training on trainee knowledge and attitudes. Methods Twenty-two CIT trainees (14 law enforcement officers and eight mental health clinicians) were evaluated using pre-developed measures assessing knowledge and attitudes related to mental illness. Evaluations were conducted prior to, immediately after, and 9 months post training. Results The CIT training produced improvements both immediately and 9 months post training in knowledge and attitudes, suggesting that CIT can benefit law enforcement officers even in extremely low-resource settings with limited specialized mental health service infrastructure. Conclusion These findings support further exploration of the benefits of CIT in highly under-resourced settings.

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