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	NCJ Number:		NCJ 185475
	Title:		Police Response to Mental Health Emergencies: Barriers to Change
	Author(s):		Randolph Dupont Ph.D. ; Sam Cochran M.S.
	Journal:		Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law  Volume:28  Issue:3  Dated:2000  Pages:338 to 344
	Date Published:		2000
	Page Count:		7
	Annotation:		This article explores barriers to change in the way police respond to mental health emergencies.
	Abstract:		The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) model of police-based intervention with behavioral crises grew out of a community response to a shooting event resulting in the death of an individual with a history of mental illness and substance abuse. It focused on the need for advanced training and specialization for patrol officers, immediacy of the crisis response, emphasis on officer and citizen safety and proper referral for those in crisis. CIT has positively influenced officer perceptions, decreased the need for higher levels of police intervention, decreased officer injuries and redirected those in crisis from the criminal justice to the heath care system. A prerequisite to successful implementation of a CIT program is a willingness to challenge traditional police training and operations. It also requires the ability to respond to complex behaviors on the individual level that is the best part of good mental health care. The article claims that overcoming these obstacles can result in a genuine community partnership of advocates, law enforcement, and mental health professionals. References
	Main Term(s):		Police
	Index Term(s):		Community resources ; Police training ; Confrontation tactics ; Mental health ; Policing innovation ; Police crisis intervention ; Police-social worker cooperation ; Police policies and procedures
	Publisher URL:		http://www.aapl.org
	Type:		Issue Overview
	Country:		United States of America
	Language:		English
	To cite this abstract, use the following link: https://www.ncjrs.gov/App/Publications/abstract.aspx?ID=185475
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