What is the purpose of crisis intervention training?

Crisis intervention training is specifically designed to equip law enforcement officers with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively manage incidents involving individuals experiencing mental health crises. The training focuses on de-escalation techniques, understanding mental health disorders, and recognizing the signs of distress, allowing officers to approach situations with empathy and appropriate intervention methods.

This training helps officers to communicate effectively with those in crisis, prioritize the safety of all individuals involved, and connect individuals with the appropriate mental health resources. By focusing on mental health, crisis intervention training aims to reduce the risk of escalation, prevent harm, and foster better outcomes for individuals in crisis, which is increasingly important in today’s society.

While negotiation skills can be important in certain scenarios, particularly with armed subjects, as well as managing large crowd events or enhancing physical combat skills, these areas are not the primary focus of crisis intervention training. This specificity highlights the importance of an informed and humane approach to handling mental health situations within law enforcement.