The Impact of Crisis Intervention Training: Enhancing Police Response to Mental Health Crises

• In Event: Enhancing the Capacity of Policing Mental Health Problems Through Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training

Abstract

Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training is a police-based approach to improving law enforcement’s response to mental health related calls for service. Goals of CIT training include improving officer knowledge of mental health illnesses, developing communication and de-escalation techniques, and ensuring the safety of both officers and persons in crisis. The current study collected data from a large suburban police department in Northern Virginia from October 2022 to October 2025 to better understand the effect of CIT training. We analyze responses from over 400 post-CIT training surveys to measure officers’ perceived knowledge, preparedness, and confidence in their ability to assist a person in crisis. We also examine whether CIT training impacts overall officer performance by comparing differences between CIT-trained and non-trained officers in calls for service, use of force, and civilian complaints. Implications for police departments’ implementation of CIT training are discussed.

Authors

• Kristen Fite, George Mason University

• Sue-Ming Yang, George Mason University

• Yi-Fang Lu, University of Iowa

• Yasemin Irvin-Erickson, George Mason University