The Efficacy of Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training for Police Officers

Marcella Oliviero

Co-Presenters: Individual Presentation

College: College of Business and Public Management

Major: BA.CRIMINALJUSTICE

Faculty Research Mentor: Bogdan, Dennis  

Abstract:

According to the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, “in 2020, across New Jersey two out of every three uses of force by law enforcement involve a civilian suffering from mental illness or substance abuse issues.” As mental health crises increase nationwide, those in distress call 911 at higher rates. Throughout the U.S., Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training is utilized as a de-escalation approach for officers responding to these calls. The program aims to effectively assess the caller’s safety and wellbeing while simultaneously reducing stigma. Despite widespread adoption, concerns regarding officers’ abilities to effectively implement the training in real-life scenarios remain. Previous studies have documented many ineffective tactics used by law enforcement, resulting in civilian injury or death. This study investigates the efficacy of Crisis Intervention Team training and its influence on law enforcement officers’ responses during mental health crises.The methodology in this study consists of a literature review using secondary data sources. Data analyzed include publicly available police department reports and peer-reviewed studies evaluating CIT outcomes. Comparisons were made between pre- and post-CIT implementation periods.Findings indicate that CIT training has improved attitudes and reduced mental health stigma in police officers who participated in training. Prior to CIT implementation, altercations involving people with mental health diagnoses resulted in fatalities.Limitations include reliance on secondary data sources, thus limiting control over data quality and consistency, variation in CIT training in different states, potential reporting bias, and limited outcome measures.Overall, results indicate Crisis Intervention Team training is associated with improved police officer responses to mental health calls. These findings value the safety of the individual seeking help, as well as the officer responding to the call.Keywords: Mental Health, Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, Stigma, CIT