Course detail: Crisis Intervention Training

Course Description:
The training is designed for law enforcement officers and dispatchers who, in their duties, are frequently called upon to deal with individuals who are suffering from brain disorders and mental health issues.

The Crisis Intervention Team program is a community partnership working with the District Attorney's office, mental health agencies, multi-jurisdictional law enforcement agencies, the National Association on Mental Illness, consumers and family members. Our goal is to set a standard of excellence for our officers with respect to the treatment of individuals with mental illness. This concept was started in 1988 by the Memphis, Tennessee Police Department in response to a critical incident that occurred in their city involving an officer tragically shooting and killing a person who was suffering from a brain disorder. From that tragedy, CIT was born and has flourished nationwide.

The Kansas Law Enforcement CIT training is a week-long intensive training program which provides officers and first responders with the skills, methods and tactics to safely de-escalate incidents involving persons involved in a mental health crisis. The CIT model is about doing the right thing for the right reasons.

Core Competencies:
  • Participants will develop the ability to conclude whether an individual they come in contact with may suffer from brain disorder or mental illness which will help them to determine and implement proper procedure during the encounter.
Course Objectives:
  • Develop understanding of the complexities of mental illness and personality disorders
  • Discuss psychiatric medications and the effects of these medications on the body
  • Discuss alternative placement options based on specific need of client
  • Identify potential suicide victims and ways to prevent suicide
  • Participate in de-escalation training
Instructional Methods:
  • Lecture
  • Class Discussion
  • Scenarios
Who Should Attend:
  • All Public Safety Personnel
Course Requirements:
  • Any absence must be pre-approved by the class coordinator.
Fitness Level Necessary for Successful Completion: Sedentary




Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend University of Kansas sponsored events. If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in an event, please email KLETC  or call 620.694.1400  at least three weeks before the first day of the event. Some events may require notice earlier than three weeks and require you to contact a specific individual; if so, that information is provided in the event-specific information.


Notice of Availability of the KLETC Annual Security and Fire Safety Report:

The University of Kansas has determined that the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC) main campus in Hutchinson and its regional sites in Dodge City, Hays, and Parsons are separate campuses. This determination was made in consultation with the Department of Education. The report is available online at: https://civilrights.ku.edu/clery.

The report contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking; the procedures the institution will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred On-Campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Non-Campus buildings or property owned or controlled by the institution or a recognized student organization; and on Public Property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.

 A paper copy of the report will be provided upon request. If you would like to receive a paper copy, you can request that a copy be mailed to you by calling 785-864-6414 or emailing civilrights@ku.edu or arrange for pick-up at a KLETC location.


Available sessions