Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training is designed to...

• A. A program to accelerate crime scene processing.
• B. A program to increase arrest rates for mental health crises.
• C. A program training officers to recognize and de-escalate encounters with people experiencing mental health crises and link them to resources.
• D. A program to train officers to avoid mental health issues entirely.

Answer: (C)

Crisis Intervention Team training focuses on recognizing when someone is in a mental health crisis and using de-escalation techniques to safely manage the encounter, while connecting the person to appropriate treatment and community resources. This approach emphasizes calm, respectful communication, safety for all parties, and a pathway to care rather than immediate punishment. By teaching officers to identify signs of distress, assess risk, and coordinate with mental health professionals, CIT aims to reduce the likelihood of force, injuries, and unnecessary arrests, and to divert individuals to appropriate services such as crisis stabilization or outpatient care. The other options miss the core aim: speeding up crime scene work, increasing arrest rates in mental health situations, or avoiding mental health issues altogether.