To effectively utilize and sustain the concepts and skills learned in CIT training each department will need to consider how to best operationalize CIT.
It is useful to approach operationalization from a macro view to ensure that patrol operations, dispatch and policy are compatible and interact to achieve an effective public health and public safety approach. There are four main components: training, policy, data collection, and community partnership.
Training
Dispatchers, Officers and Supervisors will all need some level of training in CIT to create a shared foundation of knowledge and agreement on their role and best practice response. Recommended minimums are: 8hr Role of Dispatch in CIT, 4 hr. CIT Overview for Supervisors and Administration, and 40hr. CIT for officers. These trainings are further detailed in the training tab.
Policy
Policies are an important tool that help guide, direct, and clarify best practice recommendations. Departments are encouraged to review existing policies that could relate to CIT work such as Holding Cell, Q5, Report Writing or NIBRS protocols to ensure that policies are interrelated and support the overall principles of CIT and your organizations mission statement. For example, if your Holding Cells policy does not allow for non-sworn personnel to be in the holding area, this can create obstacles in utilizing the ESP program for in station evaluation. it also hinders in house civilian or partner agency clinicians from providing supports on site. Is there clear guidance on how to utilize Q5 responses, how does the officer/supervisor make the determination as to a prisoner needs to be transported to the hospital or whether the evaluation can be managed on site. These issues support overall effective and efficient use of internal as well as external resources. Departments can also consider adopting separate CIT policy.
The Somerville Police Department has developed a model policy pertaining to “ Responding to Individuals Impacted by Behavioral Health”. This policy, not only includes factors that aid in determining if an individual is experiencing disruption or distress, but it also includes best practices approaches to successfully interact with people in behavioral health crisis. Additionally, how to determine the most suitable disposition is also explained. The main components of the policy are listed below.
Guidelines for recognition of persons impacted by behavioral health
Guidelines for responding to persons impacted by behavioral health
Guidelines for intervention if someone is suspected to be at imminent, moderate or low risk due to mental illness/behavioral health and/or substance abuse
A description of available community resources
Guidelines for alternatives to arrest when actions are suspected to be primarily related to a behavioral health condition
Guidelines for care, management, and interrogation if an individual impacted by behavioral health is taken into custody
Guidelines for report writing when an officer has contact with an individual impacted by behavioral health
Training requirements for Somerville Police Department employees in both sworn and non-sworn assignments
The TTAC also developed a model CIT Policy. Any questions regarding policy can be sent to sozit@police.somerville.ma.us.
Utilizing CIT Officers
Officers within the department who have completed the 40 hours Crisis Intervention Training will be considered part of the department’s Crisis Intervention Team. Each department will need to develop protocols for how CIT officers will be utilized on shift as well as in partnerships with community. Emergency dispatchers and Command staff should be aware of CIT officers on each shift, so that these officers can assist in behavioral health crisis response. CIT officers have specialized knowledge and skills to guide best practice response to individuals impacted by behavioral health and should be utilized to respond and/or inform response whenever possible. These protocols as well as how CIT officers will be involved in community meetings and partnerships, how does this fit in with existing community policing initiatives, etc.
Data Collection
We live in a data driven world. It is essential to review how codes are utilized to identify calls for service. The records management system is a powerful tool which can be adapted along with the Computer Aided Dispatch System (CAD) to effectively identify calls related to behavioral health. Calls that might initially come in as “Disturbing the Peace”, “Unwanted”, “Domestic”, or “Family Dispute” could be related to behavioral health. Capturing this data significantly informs needs assessment for both the department and the community. It can assist with accessing grants to increase identified resources. Accurately collecting data can inform risk, support officer decision making regarding disposition and behavioral health service gaps. NIBRS for non-criminal encounters can be an effective tool and is essential to inform effective outreach and follow up.
Informing Risk: On scene, officers gather a great deal of detail and information. It is important to be mindful of where to store this information. Best practice would be to utilize NIBRS. NIBRS is not only an already familiar platform with standardized reporting expectations, it also captures the essential details and allows for a narrative to best inform referral. Additionally this can assist departments with advocating for resources both within the department and in the community, which ultimately aids to improve system response.
Level of Care Needed: Many of the individuals that police respond to are involved in multiple systems that are not effectively meeting their needs. Having this documentation can inform appropriate level of care and/or additional supports needed for individuals to be successful in the community. Record keeping provides context and creates a picture of individuals ability to function safely within the community. This allows for efficient and focused conversations regarding law enforcement response and behavioral health services necessary – with an ultimate goal of reducing crisis and police calls for service.
Systematically and consistently collecting accurate data is a powerful tool that can be used to identify development of internal department needs as well as inform community needs assessments. The TTAC has created a useful powerpoint to illustrate this point for Department leaders. If you would like assist presenting to your department email sozit@police.somerville.ma.us.
Accurate data allows providers to connect residents with appropriate services and enables a police department’s ability to gain accreditation. There are a variety of funding streams to support these initiatives, however funders require data to document and verify needs. The additional funding has the potential to increase capacity and build better resources to support both in house resources and diversion.
Most importantly – officer safety! Reporting will capture aggressive history or history of suicide and can help officers and clinicians more fully understand risk of aggression/violence. Identifying high risk individuals early on can significantly reduce the likelihood of crisis, easing the overall burden on officers.
Any questions, comments or concerns can be directed to Sabrina Ozit at sozit@police.somerville.ma.us.
