Area Law Enforcement Undergoing Crisis De-Escalation Training in Bethany

BETHANY, MO – Area law enforcement officers and first responders are undergoing training in crisis de-escalation.

The 40-hour training provided by the Grand River CIT Council is being conducted one day per week for the next five weeks in Bethany.

Crisis intervention training gives officers tools to effectively and safely work with persons suffering from mental illness or in a mental crisis.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness says the benefits of crisis intervention training programs allow law enforcement to focus on crime by reducing the time officers spend responding to mental health calls, and produces cost savings through the use of diversion programs instead of incarceration.

Crisis Intervention Teams have been established in all but 26 counties in Missouri, with 20 counties currently in the process.