Understanding the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Model

The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) model is a community-based approach to improving the outcomes of police interactions with individuals experiencing mental health crises. Originally developed in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1988, the model has become a global standard for law enforcement agencies seeking to bridge the gap between public safety, mental health services, and community advocacy.

The Core Philosophy

At its heart, the CIT model recognizes that law enforcement officers are frequently the first point of contact for individuals in psychological distress. Rather than treating these encounters primarily as criminal justice matters, the CIT model encourages officers to treat them as health-related emergencies. The ultimate goal is to connect individuals with appropriate treatment rather than incarceration, thereby reducing the strain on jails and hospitals while ensuring the safety of all parties involved.

Key Components of the CIT Model

A successful CIT program relies on a collaborative partnership between three primary groups: law enforcement, mental health professionals, and individuals with lived experience (along with their families). The model functions through several structural pillars:

• Specialized Training: Officers undergo an intensive 40-hour training program. This curriculum covers topics such as identifying signs of mental illness, de-escalation techniques, substance abuse issues, and the legal aspects of mental health commitment.
• Collaborative Partnerships: The program brings together local mental health providers, hospitals, and advocacy groups. This network ensures that when an officer encounters a person in crisis, there is a clear, accessible path to immediate care.
• Policy and Procedures: CIT programs require institutional change. Agencies must create policies that prioritize diversion to treatment centers and establish protocols for how officers report and handle mental health-related calls.
• The "CIT Officer": Not every officer in an agency is required to be a CIT officer, but a significant percentage should be. These individuals serve as a specialized resource who can be deployed to high-stress situations to use their de-escalation expertise.

Benefits of the Model

The implementation of the CIT model offers multifaceted benefits to the community and the justice system:

Increased Safety: By utilizing de-escalation techniquessuch as active listening and patienceofficers can resolve volatile situations without resorting to the use of force. This protects both the officer and the individual in crisis.

Reduced Stigma: Through constant engagement with mental health advocates, officers develop a better understanding of psychiatric conditions. This helps move the culture of law enforcement away from stigmatization and toward empathy and informed intervention.

Cost-Effectiveness: Diverting individuals with mental illness away from the criminal justice system saves significant tax dollars. Maintaining an individual in a county jail is significantly more expensive than directing them toward community-based outpatient services or stabilization units.

Challenges and Considerations

While the CIT model is highly effective, it is not a "magic bullet." Success requires sustained funding and consistent training updates. Furthermore, the model works best when the entire mental health system is robust. If an officer identifies a person in crisis but there are no available beds or resources at local clinics, the models efficacy is severely limited. Therefore, a successful program requires a community commitment to fund and support psychiatric care infrastructure.

Conclusion

The Crisis Intervention Team model represents a shift from reactive policing to proactive, community-informed care. By prioritizing human life and health over punitive measures, the model creates a safer environment for citizens and provides law enforcement with the tools necessary to manage complex, non-criminal encounters with professional, compassionate, and tactical expertise.