Crisis Intervention Officer Training Course – White Plains
Data confirms officers are more likely to be hurt when responding to calls involving the mentally ill than they are when responding to other types of calls for service. Recruit police officers receive an approved 14 hours of training to deal with emotionally disturbed persons. Peace officers often receive significantly less information about mental health issues during their basic training. We know officers that receive further specialized training for dealing with people in crisis can perform better. During the past few years the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services has offered this specialized training and due to its success and requests from the law enforcement community, we are pleased to announce an additional training in 2008. This one week course will be held September 22-26, 2008 in White Plains in cooperation with the White Plains Department of Public Safety and the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health.
Officers who attend will learn specialized skills that will enable them to interact with individuals who are mentally ill or emotionally disturbed in ways that are safe, appropriate, and effective. In addition, we have recruited an extraordinary faculty to ensure that students receive the best possible instruction.
This training program is based on a highly successful initiative that was developed and implemented in western New York. The model has since been adapted and introduced elsewhere with outstanding results. We encourage you to view the week-long course as an investment that will reduce the number of incidents involving the use of force as well as the associated number of injuries and lawsuits. Participating agencies can also anticipate a better image in the community as a result of the new ways that calls are handled.
Course topics include indicators of emotionally disturbed behavior, mental health issues that have special significance for juveniles and the elderly, key provisions of State Mental Hygiene Law, suicide, Kendra’s Law, actions that officers should take or avoid, selected types of mental illness, and the impact that certain types of medication can have on a person’s behavior. There will be opportunities to practice or critique carefully constructed role plays, and students will return with a toolbox of resources that can help agencies take better advantage of community resources.
We are making this training available at no charge to police officers, parole officers, correction officers, and others who interact with people in crisis and the mentally ill, pursuant to their responsibilities in the criminal justice system. You do not need to work or provide services in Westchester County to attend this training class. Although services provided to Westchester County clients are covered, similar services are available in every county and will be described in detail.
For more information and registration materials please open the attached training announcement by clicking “here.” Confirmation of attendance will be emailed two weeks prior to the start of the course.