City of Tempe, AZ
Home MenuCrisis Intervention Training (CIT)
100% of Tempe Police Officers receive specific training in responding to situations that involve crisis particularly focused on behavioral and mental health crisis. Tempe Police was the first department in Arizona to embrace the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s (IACP) “One-Mind Challenge” which calls for 100% of officers to be trained and certified in Mental Health First Aid and a minimum of 20% in Crisis Intervention Training (CIT).
Mental Health First Aid is a nationally recognized evidenced based best practice sponsored by National Council for Community Behavioral Health. Tempe is not only meeting these benchmarks, but exceeding this goal, with nearly 60% of our Patrol Officers having undergone Advanced Training in Crisis Intervention (CIT). This training provides in-depth focus and skill development in preventing and de-escalating situations, particularly those that may involve individuals with mental or behavioral health conditions.
Our level of Crisis Intervention trained Officers exceeds most valley departments and is nearly triple the percentage of the federal government’s suggested percentage. We continue to see a steady increase of approximately 5-7% participate in the advanced training each year in our CIT trained ranks.
With most of our Patrol Officers being certified as Crisis Intervention Team trained, this has led to a greater diversion rate then most police agencies. Our Police Officers are recognizing a behavioral health crisis or using their discretion with lower tiered crimes and diverting to one of our community health partners, such as mobile crisis teams, detox facilities or psychiatric centers. Last year alone, approximately 22,000 diversions occurred across Maricopa county Law Enforcement. This represents approximately 50% of all consumers seen by the county behavioral health partners! These are 22,000 opportunities for individuals to engage in their recovery provided for by law enforcement.
Mental Health First Aid is a nationally recognized evidenced based best practice sponsored by National Council for Community Behavioral Health. Tempe is not only meeting these benchmarks, but exceeding this goal, with nearly 60% of our Patrol Officers having undergone Advanced Training in Crisis Intervention (CIT). This training provides in-depth focus and skill development in preventing and de-escalating situations, particularly those that may involve individuals with mental or behavioral health conditions.
Our level of Crisis Intervention trained Officers exceeds most valley departments and is nearly triple the percentage of the federal government’s suggested percentage. We continue to see a steady increase of approximately 5-7% participate in the advanced training each year in our CIT trained ranks.
With most of our Patrol Officers being certified as Crisis Intervention Team trained, this has led to a greater diversion rate then most police agencies. Our Police Officers are recognizing a behavioral health crisis or using their discretion with lower tiered crimes and diverting to one of our community health partners, such as mobile crisis teams, detox facilities or psychiatric centers. Last year alone, approximately 22,000 diversions occurred across Maricopa county Law Enforcement. This represents approximately 50% of all consumers seen by the county behavioral health partners! These are 22,000 opportunities for individuals to engage in their recovery provided for by law enforcement.