One initiative to improve training for law enforcement officers is growing exponentially.
The Missouri Department of Mental Health reported last week that 5,650 law enforcement personnel statewide have received training from Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) councils.
The training is designed to help law enforcement officers recognize a mental health crisis and respond appropriately.
When officers respond to an incident, they may encounter a situation fraught with unknowns, including whether the people involved are dealing with a mental health crisis or are impaired by drugs or alcohol.
"Missouri officers trained in CIT have done an outstanding job of responding to situations and connecting individuals to the mental health assistance they need," said Mark Stringer, department director. "The partnership between the mental health community and law enforcement has made a tremendous difference for many Missourians with mental illness who need treatment not jail time."
CIT was advanced by Gov. Jay Nixon in 2013 as part of a series of mental health initiatives. Working with the Legislature, the state authorized funding for the training. A new East Central council held training recently, and councils created in the Sikeston and Northwest areas will start training in October.
A number of incidents around the nation have strained relations between law enforcement officers and the public. In some cases, unarmed people have been shot and race-based allegations have been made.
Each of those cases must be evaluated individually and corrective action must be taken.
But in any encounter involving split-second decisions, law enforcement training improves professionalism.
CIT may not address every situation faced by officers, but it does help them recognize a mental health crisis and take appropriate action to defuse tensions.