Words Instead of Force: CIT Training Prevents Deadly Situations

Aug. 18, 2011 - PRLog -- Last week, a recent CIT graduate went to work, expecting just another day on the job, but the situation he was faced with could have ended in violence had he not been part of Georgia’s Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training program.

The CIT trained police officer tells his story.

“We were called to a situation where a male was physically abusing his mother.  He had been drinking and was armed with a gun.  The individual was known to be schizophrenic and had been non–compliant with his treatment. Using our CIT training skills, we de-escalated the situation and got him to give his gun to us.  I couldn’t believe it.  We had JUST graduated the week before from CIT training. Through the intervention skills we learned, we were able to bring a safe conclusion to this potentially deadly situation for the mother, the individual and our team.”

Good things happen to communities and individuals suffering from behavioral health disorders when local law enforcement, the Georgia Association of Community Service Boards (GACSB) and other Georgia CIT partners collaborate on behalf of Georgia’s Crisis Intervention Team to make CIT training available to officers and law enforcement.  CIT keeps officers informed and empowered to make sure that individuals in crisis receive the care they need, instead of incarceration.  

This past week, members of law enforcement from the Sheriffs Offices of Tattnall, Toombs and Bulloch counties, together with Police Departments of Pembroke, Glennville, Reidsville, Vidalia and Baxley spent 40 hours in CIT Training to help them effectively and humanely interact with persons impacted by mental illness, developmental disabilities, Alzheimer’s disease and addictive diseases.  Since 2004, the Georgia CIT Program has sought to equip Georgia law enforcement officers with the skills to recognize and assist people with behavioral health disorders in crisis, thereby advancing public and citizen safety and reducing stigma. The value of such training is immeasurable.

This week's CIT class was hosted by the Tattnall County Sheriff’s Office and staffed by local GACSB member Pineland MH/DD/AD, with assistance from NAMI.  It included clinical classroom instructions, practical de-escalation role play exercises, lived experiences of consumers and family members, and site visits to Pineland facilities.  The training covers covered a variety of subjects such as: Understanding & Preventing Suicide, Signs & Symptoms of Mental Illness, De-Escalation Techniques, Legal Issues and Mental Health Law, Addictive Diseases, Child & Adolescent Interventions and more. Captain Kevin Keyfauver of Tattnall County Sheriff’s Office commented about the training, “CIT is vital for law enforcement to take part in, and our goal is to have our whole team trained.  On a day-to-day basis, we not only encounter individuals on calls that may be experiencing behavioral issues, but we also regularly transport individuals to our community mental health care facilities.  CIT helps our team learn how to use words instead of force when diffusing situations.  It makes it safer for everyone involved.”

The GACSB and its member organizations are proud to work with their communities on CIT training; it is a natural extension of the work GACSB’s member organizations have been doing for more than thirty years leading the development and operation of cost effective, high quality, mental health, developmental disability and addictive disease services in Georgia. “That includes services like CIT training, which we volunteer our time, staff and facilities to make possible,” says June DiPolito, GACSB advocate and Executive Director of Pineland MH/DD/AD.  “The GACSB and Pineland are committed to our communities and the services necessary to keep everyone – citizens, law enforcement, individuals in crisis – safe.  It’s all about partnerships with others for the good of all.”  

Through Georgia CIT partnerships, over 4,000 law enforcement officers have received special training since the program’s inception.  “The specialized training of CIT enables officers to better understand and relate to individuals with mental disabilities or disorders when in the field,” says GBI Special Agent Debbie Shaw, CIT Coordinator for State Law Enforcement.  “This program brings law enforcement, mental health providers and the community at large together to provide the best service possible to all its citizens.”    To date, 105 Police Departments (including 911 operators), 75 Sheriffs Offices (including 911 operators), Probation and Parole officers from the GA Dept. of Corrections, Parole Officers from Pardons and Parole, VA Police Departments, Military Police from five military bases are counted among Georgia’s CIT force.

About the Georgia Association of Community Service Boards
For over 30 years, the Georgia Association of Community Service Boards (GACSB) member organizations have led the development and operation of cost effective, high quality, mental health, developmental disability and addictive disease services in Georgia.  With 27 member organizations providing community based care across the state, the GACSB is dedicated to its mission of promoting the exchange of information, representing its members on legislative and administrative matters, and campaigning for the highest quality of life for consumers of mental health, developmental disability and addictive disease services. To learn more, please visit www.gacsb.org.

About NAMI
The purpose of NAMI Georgia, Inc. is to relieve the suffering and improve the quality of life for Georgians living with mental illness and their families through education, support, advocacy and research.  

About the Georgia Crisis Intervention Team
The Georgia Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Program is a collaboration of professionals committed to assisting persons with behavioral health disorders (mental illness, developmental disabilities, Alzheimer’s disease and addictive disease). To learn more, please visit, www.namiga.org

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The Georgia Association of Community Service Boards (GACSB) leads the development and operation of cost effective, high quality, mental health, developmental disability and addictive disease services in Georgia.