Many times police officers are often the first responders to calls for service involving individuals with a mental illness or development disorder. Recognizing the need for additional training for police officers, in late 2003, the Saint Louis County Police Department met with the St. Louis Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, (NAMI) and numerous other mental health agency representatives to discuss the creation of a Crisis Intervention Team. This year is the anniversary of five years of hard work and cooperation between mental health providers, law enforcement, advocacy organizations, families and consumers of mental health services. The St. Louis County Police Department has sent 371 St. Louis County Officers to receive the necessary training since 2004 as a result of the creation of the Crisis Intervention Team. A total of 1,555 officers have been trained in the St. Louis area.

According to the final report of the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, "about 7% of all incarcerated people have a current serious mental illness; the proportion with a less serious form of mental illness is substantially higher." It is estimated that one of every 12 offenders confronting police is suffering from a severe mental disorder that often co-occurs with substance abuse. The Commission recommends widely adopting diversion and re-entry strategies to avoid the unnecessary criminalization and incarceration of nonviolent offenders with mental illnesses.

"Our goal is to utilize the Crisis Intervention Team training to address the root of the problem, not the symptoms," Chief Timothy Fitch stated. "The Saint Louis County Police Department has always been dedicated to the safety of all people in St. Louis County and by providing classes at the police academy concerning mental health and special needs and introducing the creation of a Crisis Intervention Team, we demonstrate that commitment. The training provides the necessary skills, tools, and tactics for law enforcement personnel to safely de-escalate persons in mental illness or developmental disability crisis. Officers receive information about different mental illnesses, developmental disabilities, crisis intervention techniques, community resources, and all major areas useful in interacting with persons in crisis. This training produces confident CIT officers who professionally respond in an empathetic and calming manner."

Chief Fitch added, "We are proud to be the first department in the St. Louis area to utilize a Crisis Intervention Team. Our Team is modeled after pioneering programs developed and used in the Memphis and Kansas City areas. The training we have received has been a valuable addition to the St. Louis County Police and a tremendous asset to the community as it is in those cities."

Some of the benefits of the program include:

·Arrests and use of force has decreased
·Underserved consumers are identified by officers and provided with care
·Patient violence and use of restraints in the ER has decreased
·Officers are better trained and educated in verbal de-escalation techniques
·Injuries to officers during crisis events have declined
·Officer recognition and appreciation by the community has increased
·Less "victimless" crime arrests
·Decrease in liability for health care issues in the jail
·Cost savings

National advocates, such as The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill and The American Association of Suicidology, have recognized the CIT program for distinguished service to the mentally ill. CIT is credited with preventing injuries and saving lives, both for consumers and officers.

Media Relations Staff:

Police Officer Rick Eckhard 615-4282

Sergeant Norman Mann 615-3928

Lieutenant Mike Dierkes 615-0184

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