Courses

Call-takers can play a vital role by connecting individuals to crisis lines and other behavioral health care services, rather than police services, and/or by providing CIT officers with the information needed for a safe, effective response. This 16-hour course of instruction is delivered in two eight-hour sessions conducted on consecutive days. The instruction prepares the 911call-taker to identify the possibility of the call being mental health related, utilize techniques to reduce the emotional level of the caller, and triage the call to dispatch appropriate services or complete a warm handoff to crisis services. If it is determined to dispatch CIT patrol officers, this training will assist in understanding what information should be gathered and relayed to the responding officer. Scenario-based training based on actual mental health related calls for service is also included to allow the attendees to practice the skills and provide further discussion.