There seems to be an
increase in the number of incidents involving the police and individuals with
mental illness or intellectual disabilities. In most states, there has been a
big push to downsize mental institutions and move to more community –based
living settings. This change in philosophy means that more professionals in the
community will need to be trained on how to assist people with mental illness.
This includes law enforcement. More individuals with psychiatric disorders are
being treated in the jail setting than ever before. This is largely due to the
downsizing of mental institutions and the limited number of acute (short-term)
psychiatric hospital beds available. There are also certain guidelines and
criteria that need to be considered for a Temporary Detention Order (TDO) for
placement in a psychiatric hospital. These requirements include:
1.
Posing imminent danger of self and others
2.
Inability to make a decision to volunteer for treatment
3.
Condition has deteriorated to the point that the individual cannot care for
self
In
many cases, individuals with mental illnesses have made poor choices and
committed criminal offenses and wouldn’t meet the requirements for hospital
placement. These individuals are then placed in jail settings which are not the
most appropriate setting. These individuals are often placed in protective
custody due to safety concerns. This situation also takes away resources that
could be directed toward managing the rest of the facility. Some jails now have
psychiatric units. However, individuals with mental illness are best served in
a psychiatric hospital setting.
The downsizing of training centers for the intellectually
disabled have also led to an increase in the need for more community awareness.
More individuals with intellectual disabilities are now being served in the
community settings such as group homes and intermediate care facilities. As a
result, the likelihood of behavioral outbursts in the community is also
increased. It’s important for law enforcement be aware of these behaviors and
be prepared to use the appropriate intervention.
The CIT program originally started in Memphis, Tennessee
following an incident where a mentally disabled man was fatally shot by
Tennessee police. There have been several fatal confrontations throughout the
country that could have been avoided with more training and understanding of
mental illness. Training in recognizing certain behaviors as well as verbal
de-escalation techniques can help prevent these incidents from getting out of
hand. Now police departments across the country are recognizing the need for
officers that are specifically trained to work with the mentally ill.
Training
CIT officers typically go
through a 40 hour training process. The training is typically provided by human
services professionals who are experienced in working with individuals with
mental illness, substance abuse, and intellectual disabilities. These trainings
provide officers with the skills needed to understand the mentally disabled and
prevent unnecessary physical confrontations. The training consists of hands on
activities and role playing and that allow the officers to see life from the
prospective of someone with a mental illness. Part of the training involves the
officers wearing headphones to simulate living with schizophrenia. Officers
walk around with headphones with voices constantly speaking in their ears.
Officers get an understanding of the frustration, confusion, and agitation
associated with having this disorder. Officers also get a better understanding
of some of the behaviors that may seem unusual or bizarre to the average
person. Law enforcement is more sensitive to the needs of the mentally disabled
with these ongoing trainings.
When officers know what to expect, they can use conflict
resolution skills that limit the usage of physical or deadly force. CIT
officers are trained to recognize when someone is in need of treatment instead
of incarceration. They work closely with human services and emergency services
to provide assessments to determine the most appropriate treatment options. CIT
officers also establish a positive relationship with clients and service
providers over time. Incidents can be immediately defused especially when there
is a familiarity and rapport established between the client and the CIT
officers.
CIT officers cannot prevent every incident from becoming a
physical altercation or a fatality. However, training and collaboration with
human services can significantly reduce fatalities as well as assist people
with obtaining the appropriate treatment and reduce the number of individuals
that are incarcerated when they really need treatment. Every city should have
assigned officers specifically trained to handle these situations. Any training
expense would be offset by reduced fatalities, improved treatment, and
increased awareness of mental health issues in the community.
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