The unit, which has grown from its original size of 32 officers to its current size of 55 officers, is evenly distributed throughout the department's four precincts. The primary objective of the unit is to minimize the use of force without sacrificing public safety in situations involving mentally ill persons. Volunteer officers are solicited from each precinct to receive at least 80 hours of classroom and onsite training at area mental health facilities. Trainees are given a battery of psychological tests and subjected to background investigations. The training sessions are presented by mental health professionals and involve instruction in the nature of mental illness and how to handle mentally ill persons. Onsite training presents an opportunity for trainees to interact with mental patients receiving services at the facilities. The trained CIT unit has increased both the confidence of police and the community in officers' ability to manage mentally ill persons appropriately.