CIT Training Highlighted

As part of Chester County’s recognition of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day on Jan. 9, the Chester County commissioners noted the success of the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training, a tool that helps to de-escalate mental health crisis situations and enhance safety and access to treatment.

Chester County’s Department of Mental Health/Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (MH/IDD) has worked with law enforcement for five years and more recently expanded the training to members of the first responder community to address the increased prevalence of mental health conditions among people they encounter. CIT teaches law enforcement and first responders how to deal with individuals with mental health illnesses or who are in a mental health crisis. A total of 329 officers and first responders have completed CIT training in Chester County including officers from municipal police departments and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP); Chester County detectives, corrections officers, deputy sheriffs, 911 dispatchers and staff members from the Department of Adult Probation and Veterans Affairs; and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) from across the county.

MH/IDD offers a 40-hour law enforcement CIT training course twice a year. Fullday trainings are offered three times per year to 911 dispatchers and EMTs.