Chief Thomas Alber moving forward with Crisis Intervention Team
We have seen an increase in recent years of police contacts with people in mental health crisis. Police, especially in rural America, are not typically equipped with the resources or training to efficiently deal with mental health issues. Police had few options in assisting citizens with mental health crisis who often commit minor or nuisance violations which can escalate over time. Historically, police could council, cite or arrest, but the individual would not receive the treatment needed and would receive fines they could not pay or be sentenced to jail terms and their conditions worsen. In my opinion, the gutting of the mental health system in the 80s has been a major contributing factor in jail and prison overcrowding.
To more effectively respond to these situations Chief Alber has implemented the CIT program in Garden City. The CIT program is designed to improve the way law enforcement and the community respond to people experiencing mental health crisis. They are built on strong partnerships between law enforcement, mental health provider agencies and individuals and families affected by mental illness.
The demand for the training in the Kansas City Metro is outpacing the availability. Last year, we had two officers complete CIT training and two more are scheduled to attend. When a CIT trained officer contacts a citizen in mental health crisis, it streamlines processes and gives them direct and rapid access to mental health treatment and resources. My goal is to have 100% of our officers CIT trained.
