Crisis Intervention Training

About the Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) Program

Recognizing that handling persons with mental illness who are in crisis can be difficult, the Eugene Police Department created the CIT. Lane County Mental Health, National Alliance for Mental Illness, Approved Steps to Supplement Emergency Responder Training (ASSERT), and many community agencies and public members have been singular and dedicated partners with EPD in building the extensive 40-hour training and curriculum.


The program is designed to resolve police encounters with people who have mental illnesses safely and, when appropriate, link them to mental health supports and services that reduce the chances for future inter actions with the criminal justice system. CIT sworn personnel will work in conjunction with trained dispatchers, Crisis Assistance Helping Out on the Streets (CAHOOTS) and mental health providers.


The Training Curriculum

The CIT training and curriculum includes an overview of:

  • A consumer panel talking about interactions with police
  • Age-related disorders
  • Alcohol and drug addiction
  • Autism/mental retardation and developmental disabilities
  • CIT protocols and policy
  • Crisis intervention for adults and juveniles
  • Crisis intervention scenarios
  • Crisis negotiations and active listening
  • Local resources
  • Mental status exams/director’s hold and civil commitment and Mental Health Court
  • Perspectives from consumers and advocates
  • Personality disorders
  • Psychiatric disorders
  • Sessions on post traumatic stress disorder
  • Site visits
  • Suicide/suicide intervention
  • Tactical communications
  • The crisis cycle and modes of communication

CIT officers will be among the first to respond, when available, to calls involving persons with suspected mental illness and will assist other officers when requested.