Factors Influencing the Responses of Crisis Intervention Team-Certified Law Enforcement Officers

• NCJ Number: 237097
• Journal: Police Quarterly Volume: 14 Issue: 4 Dated: December 2011 Pages: 388-406
• Author(s): Vivian B. Lord; Beth Bjerregaard; Kristie R. Blevins; Holly Whisman
• Date Published: December 2011
• Length: 19 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2010-0659
• Sponsoring Agency: North Carolina Governor's Crime Cmssn; Office of Justice Programs (OJP)
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article examines factors that influence the responses of crisis intervention team-certified law enforcement officers, especially as they surround officer behavior.

Abstract

Research indicates that Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) programs, a police response to citizens with mental illness (consumers), are beneficial; however, much of it is qualitative and limited to assessing the impact of the training CIT officers receive without considering other factors affecting consumer dispositional outcomes. It also is unclear whether the observed benefits persist over time. The purpose of this research is to use empirical data to address some of these unanswered questions, especially as they surround officer behavior. This study found differences between large and small law enforcement agencies and changes in dispositions of consumers over time. Policy and practice implications are discussed. (Published Abstract)