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:
  • 100% participation and attendance
Individuals that are traveling 75 miles or more will be able to stay in our single-occupancy dorm rooms with three meals per day at no charge ONLY for CIT classes held at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center in Hutchinson. Please contact Jenny Caywood at jcaywood@kletc.org or 620-694-1449 if you need to reserve a room. 




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 contact a specific individual; if so, that information is provided in the event-specific information.

Available sessions