Cops, EMTs receive 'crisis call' training

SANDPOINT  —  Thirty North Idaho law enforcement and emergency medical personnel are better equipped to handle mental health crisis calls after successfully completing a recent 40-hour Crisis Intervention Training course.

 The week-long voluntary training program hosted by the Bonner County Sheriff    s Office was held at the VFW Hall in Sandpoint and also included multiple presentations in Coeur d'Alene. Law enforcement at all levels and experience from the five northern counties interacted with the judicial system, mental health professionals, hospital staff, family members, and consumers of mental health services.

The goal of the program is to increase the safety of officers and the public, de-escalate difficult situations, and reduce repeat call-outs by connecting the mentally ill with appropriate community mental health services.

The first two days of the program introduced officers to clinical disorders, medications, local and state hospital facilities and staff.

"I wondered, what does this have to do with us, but after a few days I could see the benefit of knowing what to look for when approaching a situation," said Terry Ford,  an Idaho State Police trooper for 23 years in Bonner County. "This is the first training on mental illness."

Chrystal Beachy, a social worker with a private agency, added, "CIT develops interaction between the police and resources, trains officers to take extra steps for safety, encourages follow-up which diminishes re-occurrences. CIT also attempts to develop relationships between law enforcement and consumers, based on trust, rather than fear."

Family members shared the effects of living with mental illness from the perspective of an adult child, a spouse, and a parent. Those stories offered valuable insight and them better understand the situations they face, officers said.

"I had misconceptions and now have a better understanding of the diseases of the brain, mental illness, and the burdens the families bear," Officer Heiko Arshat of Bonners Ferry said.

Pastor Steve Nickodemus, supervisor of chaplains was a family presenter, also participated in the training.

"The training was good and I gained respect for the officers who deal with so many types of situations," he added.

Gene Marquez of Wallace, who has spent 27 years with ISP, also praised the training.

"This training is another tool in the tool box," he said, adding that he particularly benefited from learning court procedures from Judge Mitchell.

 Mental health consumer Les Newman was happy to have the opportunity to talk to the police officers, saying that with the training, police will be more aware, understanding, and may be less likely to misinterpret mental illness for some other disruption.

"CIT training is invaluable training for officers to build empathy and understanding that these are people that have a physical problem they cannot control," Holly Bonwell, clinical supervisor with Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, said.

Training included intervention strategies and procedures. Finally, the officers participated in scenario training where they were called into a mock crisis situations based on actual cases. The actors included facilitator trainers, social workers, and family members. The goal was to help officers recognize symptoms of various disorders, use the tools of the training to safely de-escalate a situation, and follow-up by connecting people with the appropriate resources, organizers said.

Actors from the mental health sector said it was valuable to step into other people's shoes and they had a better understanding of   police officers' roles as partners in difficult situations.

The CIT training is brought to the five northern counties through the efforts of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Far North Chapter, a grant from the state of Idaho, and the cooperation of numerous agencies and law enforcement.

CIT programs were developed in Memphis 20 years ago. The recent class was the first offering for the voluntary training in Region I and only the second in the state of Idaho. Gary Tolleson, police training specialist of Peace Officers Standards and Training, the licensing agency for training, viewed CIT as important and said it should continue, and develop from this first program. CIT is certified by POST.

"There used to be a cuff and stuff philosophy," Allen Hamilton, a Boundary County EMT said. "CIT training may help diffuse somwe situations, lessening the need for emergency medical services. My own responses will change because I have a better understanding that the person with mental illness has a different perception of reality."

Ron Bruno, board member of CIT International and guest instructor stated, "On behalf of CIT International, we are excited and would like to congratulate Idaho Region I for successfully conducting its first CIT Academy."