Training police officers to better handle mental health crises
A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Mental Health Training for Police Officers
This study is testing a special training program for police officers to help them better support people going through mental health crises, so they can handle these situations more calmly and effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11007204 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of a specialized training program for police officers, known as the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) model, aimed at improving their interactions with individuals experiencing serious mental illnesses or psychiatric crises. The program includes a 40-hour training course designed to enhance officers' skills in de-escalation and crisis management. By conducting a randomized, controlled trial across multiple sites, the study aims to rigorously assess how this training impacts officers' actual behaviors and decision-making in real-life situations. The goal is to ensure that officers are better equipped to respond to mental health emergencies, ultimately improving outcomes for those in crisis.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with serious mental illnesses or those experiencing psychiatric crises who may interact with police officers.
Not a fit: Patients who do not experience mental health crises or do not have serious mental illnesses may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved safety and support for individuals with mental health issues during police encounters.
How similar studies have performed: While the CIT model has been widely implemented, this research is novel as it aims to rigorously evaluate its effectiveness through a randomized controlled trial.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Compton, Michael T — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Compton, Michael T
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.