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Metro Boston CIT-TTAC (Crisis Intervention Team Training and Technical Assistance Center); is a training and policy development resource for municipal law enforcement entities to inform response regarding individuals and families impacted by behavioral health issues (psychiatric illnesses, developmental disorders and co-occurring substance use disorders.) The goals of the project are to increase literacy of behavioral health, specifically to identifying de-escalation strategies and connection to resources.

MB CIT-TTAC

The following departments have partnered with MB CIT-TTAC and have committed to training a minimum of 10% of their officers in CIT. Andover, Belmont, Belrica, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lexington, Lynn, Malden, Medford, Methuen, North Andover, Revere, Somerville, Waltham, Watertown, Weston, Wilmington, Winthrop and the MBTA. Additional departments continually express interest in joining this initiative recently Dracut and Tweksbury as well as Chelmsford.

This project is supported through funding from the Department of Mental Health with technical support from Cambridge and Somerville Police and NAMI-MA.

The goal of the Somerville Police Department is to increase officers' capacity to respond to the ever-changing and complex circumstances that impact the safety and wellness of our community. Outcome research has shown that implementation of CIT increases confidence in police officer's response; improves efficient crisis response; increases jail diversion for individuals impacted by mental illness and substance use disorders; creates treatment continuity with community-based providers and significantly reduces officer injury. CIT is an international standard for law enforcement training specifically designed to increase awareness; improve understanding and reponse to individuals impacted by behavioral health. It was initially developed in Memphis Tennessee through a collaboration of the Memphis Police Department and the University of Memphis in 1989.

 

Crisis Intervention Training

The CIT Training is based onthe Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) which looks at the criminal justice system as a continuum. Through the SIM, points of possible diversion are identified. Ideally the goal is to prevent individuals from entering the justice system at all, thus law enforcement has been identified as a primary point of intervention. Other points of intervention include the courts and probation, department of corrections and tranistion back to the community.

Once certified as a CIT officer you will be identified as a primary responder for calls indicating emotional distress for your Department. CIT officers will be considered to have an expertise in responding to situations involving individuals impacted by psychiatric illness, developmental disorders and co-occurring substance use disorders. Each Police Department's expectations will be determined with consideration for the particular needs and resources of the community and Police Department. You will also be offered further training opportunities to continue to build skills and increase your expertise in this area.

We recognize that thhis effort requires a community-wide response. The Metro Boston-CIT-TTAC will engage with community providers and state agencies to create systems of communication, identify needs and create better systems of supports.


Contact Info: Patricia Contente
Director
617-625-1600 Ext: 7281

COHR/CITTAC