Crisis Intervention Team Training Best Practices: Lessons from Leading Expert

Crisis Intervention Team Training Best Practices, Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training has become a cornerstone of modern law enforcement’s approach to mental health crises. As understanding of mental health deepens, refining CIT training ensures officers are prepared to respond with skill, empathy, and effectiveness. This article outlines the best practices that make CIT programs successful, drawing on insights from leading experts and proven programs worldwide.

The Importance of High-Quality CIT Training

CIT training is vital because law enforcement officers are often the first to respond to individuals experiencing mental health crises. Without specialized training, these situations can escalate, increasing the risk of injury, mistrust, and missed opportunities for intervention.

High-quality CIT training improves outcomes by:

• Enhancing officer safety and confidence

• Reducing use-of-force incidents

• Building stronger community trust

• Promoting timely access to mental health care

Best practices in training maximize these benefits by blending procedural knowledge with empathy, communication skills, and cultural awareness.

Core Components of Effective CIT Training

1. Comprehensive Mental Health Education

Officers receive in-depth instruction on common mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, PTSD, and co-occurring substance use disorders. Understanding symptoms and behavioral manifestations enables officers to recognize crises early and respond appropriately.

2. De-escalation and Communication Skills

Verbal and non-verbal de-escalation techniques are central to CIT training. Through role-playing and realistic scenario exercises, officers learn to calm agitated individuals, build rapport, and manage potentially dangerous situations safely.

3. Inclusion of Lived Experience

Panels of individuals with mental illness or family members provide firsthand perspectives, humanizing the experience and fostering empathy. Exposure to lived experiences helps officers reduce stigma and develop a compassionate approach to crisis response.

4. Legal and Ethical Training

CIT officers are trained on patients’ rights, confidentiality laws, and involuntary commitment criteria. Understanding the legal and ethical framework ensures interventions are lawful, ethical, and respectful of individual rights.

5. Partnerships with Mental Health Professionals

Collaboration with clinicians and social service providers strengthens cross-disciplinary communication. These partnerships create seamless referral pathways and give officers practical insight into available community resources.

Insights from Leading CIT Programs

Experts from top CIT programs consistently emphasize:

• Tailored Training: Adapt curriculum to the local community’s cultural, demographic, and resource context.

• Multi-Disciplinary Engagement: Include officers, mental health professionals, dispatchers, and community stakeholders.

• Data-Driven Improvement: Use data from CIT calls to refine programs and identify areas for growth.

Role of Crisis Intervention Team International (CITI)

CITI supports global dissemination of CIT best practices through its standardized 40-hour training curriculum. Their Train-the-Trainer model empowers communities to develop skilled instructors, ensuring program quality and consistency. Participation in CITI conferences and networks also allows agencies to share insights, learn from peers, and adopt innovative strategies.

Implementing CIT Best Practices

Law enforcement agencies can strengthen their CIT programs by:

1. Assessing local community needs and resources to customize training content.

2. Selecting officers committed to mental health advocacy.

3. Partnering with mental health organizations for co-facilitation and real-world insights.

4. Establishing evaluation frameworks to track outcomes and guide improvements.

5. Promoting ongoing professional development and peer support for CIT officers.

Read More: Crisis Intervention Team International Conference: What to Expect and Why It Matters

Conclusion

Crisis Intervention Team Training Best Practices, Adhering to CIT training best practices equips officers to respond competently and compassionately to mental health crises. By combining expert insights, lived experience, and structured program models, law enforcement agencies can enhance public safety, reduce harm, and strengthen community trust.

For more guidance on CIT programs, visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Crisis Intervention Team Programs – NAMI.