The FBI has included a piece in it's Newsletter worth reading. You may read the content here or by clicking the link you will be brought away from CIT International Web Page and to the FBI's Law Enforcement Bulletin's page.

Crisis Intervention Teams:
Responding to Mental Illness Crisis Calls
By Johnny K. Jines, M.A.

01/08/13

According to statistics, approximately one in 17 Americans, or 6 percent of the population, live with a mental illness. Further, in any given year, about one in four Americans, equaling 57.7 million people, experience a mental health issue.¹ Many people are diagnosed with these conditions; however, those with more serious mental illnesses (SMI) sometimes command the attention of law enforcement. An SMI constitutes a behavioral or emotional disorder, diagnosable within the past year, resulting in serious functional impairment.²

	Sergeant Jines serves as a patrol division shift supervisor and Crisis Intervention Team trainer with the Jackson, Tennessee, Police Department.

Due to the extreme behavior exhibited by individuals with SMI, encounters with police during a crisis sometimes end in tragedy. As a best practice, the implementation of a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) plays an important role in responding to these situations. The concept of these teams has existed for over 25 years. Known as the Memphis Model, from its origin with the Memphis (Tennessee) Police Department, it successfully has been established in several jurisdictions. Read more