NEWS RELEASE
MAY 20, 2010 #10-024
4:30 P.M. HILDEBRANDT

Alexandria Police Congratulates Crisis Intervention Team Graduates

On Friday, May 21, eight police officers will become graduates of the Crisis Intervention Team’s first training academy.  A graduation ceremony for the officers and six deputy sheriffs will be held at 3:00 P.M. at the Durant Center, located at 1605 Cameron Street.  The Chief of Police and Sheriff will be speaking to congratulate the graduating class on their accomplishment.

The Alexandria Police Department developed the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) through a partnership with the Department of Mental Health.  A Crisis Intervention Team is comprised of highly skilled and specially trained police officers who function as part of the regular police patrol.  Through their training, these officers receive 40 hours of specialized training in the recognition of psychiatric disorders, suicide intervention, substance abuse issues, verbal de-escalation techniques, the role of the family in the care of a person with mental illness, and legal training in mental health and substance abuse issues.  In addition to classroom instruction, officers-in-training also participate in role playing exercises based on real-life scenarios and spend an entire day visiting mental health and substance abuse inpatient and outpatient treatment facilities where they have the opportunity to engage in one-on-one dialogue with mental health consumers, and learn about resources available to help people in crisis.

CIT is based on a model developed by the Memphis Police Department in 1988 following a Police shooting of a mentally ill person, and it has since been adopted in communities in 45 states. The training is designed to educate and prepare police officers who come into contact with people with mental illnesses to recognize the signs and symptoms of these illnesses and to respond effectively and appropriately to individuals in crisis. Since police officers are often the first responders in these incidents, it is essential that they understand how mental illnesses can alter people's behaviors and perceptions.  The trained CIT officer is skilled at de-escalating crises involving people with mental illness, while bringing an element of understanding and compassion to these difficult situations.

For further questions, please call the Media Service Unit at 703.838.4636.