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A variety of programs have been established throughout Nebraska with the goal of enhancing law enforcement’s response toward individuals with mental illness.
In Omaha, a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) model was developed and adopted as a cooperative community partnership involving law enforcement agencies, mental health service providers, mental health consumers, and families.
Through participation in this program, CIT police officers learn to recognize common forms of mental illness and to utilize the most effective means of communicating with people undergoing crisis. The officers are trained to de-escalate the individuals in crisis and allow the consumer to participate in the decision-making regarding their treatment. CIT officers must successfully complete 40 hours of training to become certified.
Since March of 2006 participants from the Omaha Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff, County Corrections, 911 Dispatch, Boys Town Police Department, Papillion Police Department, Bellevue Police Department, and Plattsmouth Police Department have been trained and certified in the CIT model.
To learn more about the Heartland CIT program please contact co-chair, Sgt. Scott Lane with Douglas County Sheriff’s Office at slane@co.douglas.ne.us.
Additional information including toolkits, articles, and related links for those interested in building new or expanding upon existing CIT programs can be accessed through the NAMI CIT Technical Assistance Website.
Click here to access an article highlighting the work of the Heartland Crisis Intervention Team Council published in the Reader.
What is a Crisis Intervention Team?
The Crisis Intervention Team is a group of specially trained law enforcement officers who have received instruction in dealing with people who are experiencing a mental health crisis.
How will the CIT help?
CIT officers have been taught to recognize some common forms of mental health problems and to understand the most effective means of communicating with people experiencing them. The officers will engage in an effort to de-escalate the person in crisis. All of this is to allow the individual to participate in the decisions about their treatment and allow the police to more appropriately handle these types of situations.
How much training is involved and who provides it?
CIT officers must successfully complete 40 hours of training prior to becoming certified. The initial training is provided by consumers, family members, mental health providers, law enforcement, and county attorneys and involves not only classroom exercises but also panel presentations, site visits, and scenario based training.
How do CIT officers get chosen?
Participation on the CIT team is voluntary and officers apply to be chosen.
When do they start and how will we know them?
The first class of CIT trained officers graduated March 24, 2006. Since that timeparticipants from the Omaha Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff, County Corrections, 911 Dispatch, Boys Town Police Department, Papillion Police Department, Bellevue Police Department, and Plattsmouth Police Department have been trained and certified in the CIT model. These officers are available and working in the Omaha metro community.
CIT officers wear a blue and gold pin identifying themselves as part of the Heartland Crisis Intervention Team on their uniform shirt.
Who can I contact about the CIT program?
To learn more about the Heartland CIT program please contact co-chair, Sgt. Scott Lane with Douglas County Sheriff’s Office at slane@co.douglas.ne.us.
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