Crisis Intervention Team

CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) of Broward is a jail diversion program that trains law enforcement officers in how to deal most appropriately with the complexity of the problems facing individuals who suffer from mental illness and/or substance abuse disorders, and find alternatives to arrest. Broward Regional Health Planning Council coordinates the CIT trainings. This project includes partnerships with behavioral health provider agencies, law enforcement, consumers, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). The training portion consists of a 40-hour program where officers learn how to intervene and de-escalate crisis situations, as well as become familiar with basic information about mental illness and substance abuse, medication issues, perspectives from primary and secondary consumers, and the availability of local resources. The training sessions are held at South Florida State Hospital. As officers return to the field, they have a broadened understanding of the cause and effects of behavioral disorders, increased skills, and develop relationships with the provider community. As the program expands, it is anticipated there will be a reduction in arrests of the mentally ill, reduction of officer and consumer injuries, and a reduced number of barricade situations. The first regional training was held in April, 2008. This training brought together CIT officers from Broward, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties.