Overall, CIT training is an effective way to reduce officer and departmental liability by promoting a more thoughtful and compassionate approach to policing. By improving communication, reducing the use of force, and promoting safety for all involved, CIT training can help to prevent costly legal battles and protect the reputation of law enforcement departments.
1. Increased Officer Safety.
By equipping officers with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively respond to crisis situations, CIT training can help improve officer safety. This can reduce the risk of injuries to officers, as well as the risk of lawsuits and other legal claims related to officer safety.
2. Improved Crisis Response.
Crisis Intervention training equips officers with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively de-escalate crisis situations involving individuals experiencing mental health or substance abuse issues. By responding to these situations in a more humane and compassionate manner, officers can reduce the risk of injuries, property damage, and other negative outcomes.
3. Reduced Use of Force.
CIT training emphasizes the use of non-lethal force and encourages officers to use verbal communication and other de-escalation techniques before resorting to physical force. This can help reduce the risk of excessive force lawsuits, which can be costly for both officers and departments.
4. Improved Interagency Coordination.
CIT training promotes collaboration between law enforcement agencies, mental health professionals, and other community partners. This can help officers connect individuals in crisis with appropriate resources, reducing the risk of liability for officers and departments.
5. Enhanced Documentation.
The training also includes instruction on how to properly document interactions with individuals experiencing mental health or substance abuse issues. This can help officers provide more accurate and comprehensive reports, which can be useful in defending against lawsuits and other legal claims.
Bonus (Compliance with Legal Requirements).
Crisis Intervention training helps officers to better understand their legal obligations when responding to individuals in crisis. This can help to ensure that officers comply with legal requirements related to the use of force and the treatment of individuals with mental health conditions. As they are often different then those that apply to someone who has broken the law.
Clearing Up
CIT training will help reduce officer and departmental liability by promoting more effective crisis response, reducing the use of force, improving documentation, promoting interagency coordination, and increasing officer safety. At the very least a well ran CIT program will position your officers to not make things worst once they arrive at a crisis scene.