By JERRY WOLFFE
The first
of two, five-day Crisis Intervention Team trainings for Oakland County Sheriff Deputies,
and other local law enforcement begins on Monday (May 4) at 1690 Brown Road in
Auburn Hills.
A second
training was scheduled for the week of May 18 under a $275,000 Jail Diversion
grant from the Michigan Department of Community Health. CIT is strategically
designed to promote positive outcomes during crisis situations that require
police assistance.
“We are
especially thankful for the State’s vision in supporting this valuable
initiative, as well as the opportunity to provide local law enforcement
officers with the necessary resources to help ensure their success in assisting
people in crisis,” said Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority Executive
Director and CEO Willie Brooks.
Deputies
who participate in CIT will receive 40 hours of comprehensive mental health
training, which includes information about mental illness and developmental
disabilities, opportunities to speak with advocates, individuals with mental
illness and their families, and participation in role-playing scenarios.
“It is
well worth mentioning that each of the deputies receiving CIT training at both
sessions in May is doing so on a volunteer basis,” said Oakland County Sheriff,
Michael Bouchard. “Their dedication to be better prepared when responding to
individuals in crisis, especially those who have a mental health disorder, is
an accurate reflection of the level of commitment to community safety adhered
to by the entire Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.”
Law
enforcement agencies throughout the country that utilize CIT have experienced
significant reductions in the number of officer and personal injuries, as well
as a decrease in arrest rates.
Jerry Wolffe is the writer-in-residence, advocate-at-large
of the Macomb-Oakland Regional Center. He can be reached at 586-263-8950.
