The Police Department's Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) is composed of specially trained officers whose function is to respond to incidents which involve a mental health crisis, where the officer’s specialized skills may be used to successfully conclude such an incident and to provide the individual with further assistance beyond the actual call. The Police Department created a Crisis Intervention Team in 2017.
The Cedar Rapids Police Department utilizes a Mental Health Law Enforcement Liaison who is trained in mobile outreach crisis intervention. By working directly with Cedar Rapids Police Department personnel, the mental health professional can help effectively respond to incidents involving subjects suffering from a mental health crisis incident. The law enforcement liaison can provide de-escalation, mental health assessments, mental health crisis intervention, and follow-up resources and management for individuals impacted by or suffering from a mental health crisis.
Training to become a CIT officer consists of successfully completing a 40-hour Crisis Intervention Team Training program with an additional 4 hours of training required yearly.
For additional information regarding the Crisis Intervention Team and upcoming trainings, please contact Lieutenant Jeremy Paulsen.
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