Law enforcement agencies in Kentucky are seeing a surge in younger officers opting for mental health crisis intervention training. This week, a cohort of 33 officers participated in an intensive program at RiverValley Behavioral Health, coordinated with the Kentucky Crisis Intervention Team. The training aims to equip officers with essential skills to effectively manage encounters with individuals experiencing mental health crises.
The classes provided insight into recognizing the signs of mental health disorders and substance influence, which can help prevent potentially dangerous situations for both the officers and individuals in crisis. This training is particularly relevant given that encounters with people facing mental health challenges can often lead to unnecessary incarceration, where assessment and treatment would be more beneficial.
Krisi Baugh, a director of the Kentucky Crisis Intervention Team, noted that participation in this training is voluntary. She highlighted a trend where younger officers are increasingly engaging with crisis intervention programs. “Of the 33 officers in the class, only three have worked for over five years,” Baugh stated. “We love that officers are getting this training earlier in their careers.”
Training Focus and Impact
The curriculum covers critical topics such as post-traumatic stress disorder, various personality disorders, and issues affecting the elderly. The primary objective is to provide officers with the skills necessary to de-escalate situations and encourage individuals to accept mental health assessments or treatment.
Heather Henderson, the senior director of crisis services at RiverValley, emphasized the importance of awareness. “Number one, more than anything, is how to identify someone who is having a mental health crisis,” she explained. If officers can successfully persuade a person to seek treatment, they can avoid arrest, ensuring a safer outcome for all involved. Henderson further added, “Everybody wins if we can get somebody into treatment.”
Training also includes guidance on how officers can facilitate involuntary commitments for mental health evaluations when necessary. Baugh explained that officers learn to recognize crisis signs and assess whether individuals pose a danger to themselves or others. The program underscores the importance of collaboration with regional behavioral health providers, exemplified by RiverValley’s mobile response team.
This team has been operational since 2020 and has significantly expanded its reach, responding to approximately 170 to 180 calls each month, a notable increase from about 20 calls per month at its inception. Henderson stated that the mobile team often collaborates with law enforcement to ensure safety during crisis interventions.
Growing Demand for Crisis Intervention Training
The demand for mental health crisis training among law enforcement agencies is on the rise. Baugh noted, “We are seeing that more law enforcement agencies want their officers trained in CIT, so they know how to interact and communicate better” with individuals facing crises. She expressed hope that this training will enable officers to utilize their skills effectively and connect individuals in need with appropriate resources.
Officer safety remains a paramount concern throughout the training process. Baugh reiterated, “We don’t want them to talk to someone in an unsafe situation. But as long as they are safe, we want them to take the time to de-escalate the situation and get the person help.”
As more younger officers engage in this vital training, Kentucky’s law enforcement landscape is beginning to shift towards a more compassionate and informed approach to mental health crises, ultimately benefiting both officers and the communities they serve.
