CIT Training for Police Officers

Overseen By Michael T. Compton, MD, MPH

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Columbia University

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

240 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn the effect, or lack thereof, of the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training among police officers. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Whether the 40-hour CIT training improves police officers' verbal crisis de-escalation skills / non-verbal physical behavior * Whether police officers with and without CIT training use different procedural justice and make different disposition-related decisions Participants will: * Receive or not receive CIT training depending on whether they are randomized to the intervention group or the control group. * Participate in three assessments: baseline before the randomization, 3-months post-randomization, and 6-month post-randomization. Researchers will compare police officers who were randomized to the control group with police officers who were randomized to the intervention group to see if receiving the CIT training make differences on the outcome measurements.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial protocol does not specify whether participants must stop taking their current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training for police officers?

Research shows that CIT training improves police officers' knowledge, attitudes, and self-confidence in handling crisis situations, which can lead to better de-escalation skills and decisions to refer individuals to mental health services instead of arresting them. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training safe for police officers?

The available research on Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training focuses on its effectiveness and outcomes, such as officer satisfaction and reduced use of force, but does not specifically address safety concerns for participants. There is no evidence in the reviewed studies indicating any safety issues for police officers undergoing CIT training. ^{2 5 6 7 8}

How is CIT training for police officers different from other treatments for mental health crises?

CIT training is unique because it focuses on equipping police officers with skills to handle situations involving individuals with mental health issues, rather than directly treating the individuals themselves. This approach aims to improve interactions and outcomes during police encounters with people in crisis, which is different from traditional mental health treatments that focus on the individuals experiencing the crisis. ^{5 7 8 9 10}

Research Team

Michael T. Compton, MD, MPH

Principal Investigator

Columbia University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for English-speaking police officers aged 18 or older who have not undergone CIT training. They must be willing to undergo testing and randomization to either receive the training or not, and able to complete follow-up tests at 3 and 6 months.

Inclusion Criteria

I am 18 years old or older.

English-speaking

I am willing to undergo testing and possibly receive training, with follow-ups at 3 and 6 months.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Training

Police officers receive a 40-hour Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training curriculum

1 week

Assessment

Participants undergo assessments at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months post-randomization to evaluate verbal crisis de-escalation skills and other outcomes

6 months

3 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after training

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training

Trial Overview The study examines if a 40-hour Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training improves police officers' crisis de-escalation skills, procedural justice, and decision-making. Officers are randomly assigned to either get the CIT training or not, with assessments before, after 3 months, and after 6 months.

Participant Groups

Group I: CIT officers Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Police officers randomized to the experimental group will receive a 40-hour CIT training curriculum.

Group II: Non-CIT officers Active Control 1 Intervention

Police officers randomized to the no-intervention group will not receive the 40-hour CIT training curriculum.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Columbia University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,529

Recruited

2,832,000+

Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc.

Collaborator

Trials

68

Recruited

21,100+

University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Collaborator

Trials

52

Recruited

6,200+

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Collaborator

Trials

3,007

Recruited

2,852,000+

Wayne State University

Collaborator

Trials

318

Recruited

111,000+

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Crisis Intervention Team Program Leadership Must Include Psychiatrists. [2022]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of Police Crisis Intervention Training Programs. [2020]

3. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Modeling the effects of Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training for police officers: How knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy drive de-escalation skills and referral decisions. [2022]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The police-based crisis intervention team (CIT) model: I. Effects on officers' knowledge, attitudes, and skills. [2014]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The police-based crisis intervention team (CIT) model: II. Effects on level of force and resolution, referral, and arrest. [2018]

6. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Beyond crisis intervention team (CIT) classroom training: Videoconference continuing education for law enforcement. [2020]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Surveys of Police Chiefs and Sheriffs and of Police Officers About CIT Programs. [2018]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Law enforcement and mental health clinician partnerships in global mental health: outcomes for the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) model adaptation in Liberia, West Africa. [2022]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Psychiatric disposition of patients brought in by crisis intervention team police officers. [2019]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Do empathy and psychological mindedness affect police officers' decision to enter crisis intervention team training? [2021]