Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)
CIT Academy 1
CIT Academy 2
CIT Academy 3
The Belgrade Police Department currently has twelve graduates of the Crisis Intervention Academy and they are now members of the Gallatin County Crisis Intervention Team
The magnitude of the problem of untreated
mental illness is revealed not only in the numbers, but also in the
consequences. More than one million people with schizophrenia and
manic-depressive illness are not being treated on any given day.
These individuals are more likely to experience homelessness,
suicide, incarceration, victimization, and violence. For years, the
law enforcement community has borne the brunt of this crisis with
its officers responding to individuals who become psychotic and
sometimes dangerous.
The Gallatin County Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) is an innovative
police based first responder program baised on what has become nationally
known as the “Memphis Model” of pre-arrest jail diversion for those
in a mental illness crisis. This program provides law enforcement
based crisis intervention training for helping those individuals
with mental illness. Involvement in CIT is voluntary and based in
the patrol division of the police department. In addition, CIT works
in partnership with those in mental health care to provide a system
of services that is friendly to the individuals with mental illness,
family members, and the police officers.
Outcome research has shown CIT to be effective in developing
positive perceptions and increased confidence among police officers;
providing very efficient crisis response times; increasing jail
diversion among those with mental illness; improving the likelihood
of treatment continuity with community based providers; and
impacting psychiatric symptomatology for those suffering from a
serious mental illness as well as substance abuse disorders. This
was all accomplished while significantly decreasing police officer
injury rates.
Helpful Links
421 E. Peach Street
Bozeman, MT 59715
email:
info@bozemanhelpcenter.org
Hotline: (406) 586-3333
Our hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
International CIT
National Alliance on Mental Illness