Chicago Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Training.

In an effort to avert safety issues and limit use of force in dealing with mentally ill persons in crisis, in 2005 the Chicago Police Department developed Crisis Intervention Training. Based on a model developed by the Memphis Police Department in the 1990s, officers volunteer for the 40 hour specialized training which is conducted by mental health professionals, family and consumer advocates and police trainers.

The CIT program works with consumers of mental health services, the felony mental health court and family members to work together to develop treatment alternatives to incarceration.

From its inception, I have viewed this proactive, positive program. In my roles as prosecutor, agency director and private attorney, I have found the officers and program to be receptive to aiding consumers and to try to help them avert crisis.