CIT Crisis Intervention Team Training
Boley Centers is part of the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training in Pinellas county. The CIT model trains law enforcement officers to better interact with people experiencing mental health crisis. The goal is to divert these individuals to mental health services instead of the criminal justice system. Officers receive 40 hours of training on mental illness, de-escalation techniques, and legal guidelines. Training is provided by mental health professionals and people with mental illness themselves. Throughout the state, more than 3,000 law enforcement officers have been trained in the nationally acclaimed 40-hour CIT course.
CIT is a program originated by Memphis, Tennessee, Police Department that trains officers to handle mental health crisis calls. These specially trained officers can respond to such calls alongside their regular duties. The program has been shown to be valuable in saving lives, time and money, and is now used in many places around the world.
Members of the Consumer Advocacy Council are encourage to participate in CIT training by sharing their experiences with law enforcement officers. Ask your Boley Centers’ contact how you can take part in CIT training.