Definitions

Behavioral / Mental Health Crisis

A situation where a person's emotional or psychological condition has reached a level that warrants immediate intervention to prevent harm to themselves or others, or to address acute psychiatric symptoms.

CIT (Crisis Intervention Team)

Officers who have completed a 40-hour CIT or equivalent course in mental health crisis response, de-escalation, and community resources.

Mobile Crisis Team

A team of mental health professionals (with or without law enforcement) deployed to respond to mental health crises in the field.

Civil Commitment

An involuntary hold for psychiatric evaluation pursuant to state law, often triggered when a person is a danger to self, danger to others, or gravely disabled.

Purpose

To resolve calls involving mental health crisis safely, with proportional use of force, with thoughtful destination choices, and with documented outcomes that support continuous improvement.

Scope

Applies to all sworn members.

Recognition

• Mental health crisis may present as disorganized behavior, paranoia, severe anxiety, suicidal ideation, self-harm, command auditory hallucinations, severe depression, or substance-induced behavioral change.
• Symptoms may mimic intoxication, criminal intent, or non-compliance.
• Subjects in crisis may not understand commands, may be hyper-vigilant to perceived threats, and may have distorted perceptions.

Initial Response

1. Where practical, request a CIT-certified officer or mobile crisis team early.
2. Slow the call. Use distance, cover, and time.
3. Reduce stimulation — lights, sirens off if safe; reduce number of officers near subject.
4. Identify yourself by first name and role. Use the subject's name.
5. Ask open questions: 'What's going on? How can we help?'
6. Listen actively. Do not lecture or argue.

De-escalation

• Acknowledge the subject's distress without minimizing.
• Offer choices when possible.
• Avoid threats, ultimatums, or commands intended to demonstrate authority.
• Be patient with silence and slow responses.
• Avoid touching the subject unnecessarily.
• Coordinate with other officers — one person speaks; others provide visible calm presence.

Use of Force in Crisis Situations

• Use of force is governed by the Use of Force policy regardless of mental health context.
• Crisis context is a factor in objective reasonableness — courts consider whether mental health was apparent and whether de-escalation was attempted.
• Force is not used for failure to comply with commands the subject cannot understand or process.
• Where force is required, the lowest effective level is used; transitions are deliberate.
• Post-force medical evaluation includes consideration of psychiatric needs.

Co-Response & Diversion

• Where mobile crisis teams or co-responders are available, officers coordinate care delivery, not just custody.
• Where diversion to a stabilization unit, crisis receiving center, or mental-health emergency department is available, this is preferred over jail booking when consistent with law and safety.
• Officers maintain familiarity with local diversion resources, hours of operation, and acceptance criteria.

Civil Commitment / Welfare Hold

• Officers may initiate a civil commitment hold when state law criteria are met (typically: danger to self, danger to others, or grave disability arising from mental illness).
• Officers complete required state paperwork and transport per state law.
• Documentation includes specific observed behaviors and statements supporting the commitment criteria, not conclusory labels.
• Subjects in commitment hold are not in criminal custody and shall not be treated as such except where they pose immediate threat.

Children and Adolescents

• Pediatric mental health crisis is increasingly common.
• Officers engage parents or guardians whenever possible.
• Pediatric psychiatric receiving facilities are limited; transport plans are made early.
• Trauma-informed approach: many pediatric crises involve adverse childhood experiences.

Welfare Checks

• Welfare checks are a common entry to crisis interactions.
• Officers explain their presence, listen, and verify safety.
• Force or entry is justified only by exigent circumstances independent of the request.
• Documentation includes the requester, the subject's condition, any referral made, and the outcome.

Documentation

• Specific observed behaviors and statements.
• De-escalation attempts and results.
• Use of CIT, mobile crisis, or co-response.
• Disposition — release, diversion, hold, arrest.
• Referral to mental-health resources or follow-up.
• BWC and other recording identifiers.

Data Collection and Review

• The agency collects and analyzes data on crisis calls, dispositions, and outcomes.
• Cases are reviewed periodically by command and mental-health partners.
• Trends inform training, policy, and partnership development.

Training

• All sworn members receive at least 8 hours of mental-health crisis response training.
• Goal: all officers complete 40-hour CIT or equivalent within first 2 years of service.
• Annual refresher.
• Joint training with mobile crisis, mental health providers, and family members.
• Trauma-informed and procedural-justice training annually.

Partnerships

• The agency maintains active partnerships with community mental health, crisis centers, and family-advocacy organizations.
• Periodic joint case reviews.
• Co-developed training and policy.
• Liaison officer for mental-health system coordination.

References

• IACP Model Policy on Mental Health Responseiacp.org
• CIT International Standardscitinternational.org
• DOJ COPS Mental Health and Policecops.usdoj.gov
• SAMHSA National Behavioral Health Crisis Care Guidelinessamhsa.gov
• State Civil Commitment Statute[INSERT STATE]

Adapt this template

Before this template becomes your department's policy, review the following items and adjust accordingly. Anything else that does not match your operation should be updated as well.

• DRAFT — Requires legal review and SME sign-off before publication or adoption.
• Identify regional co-response and diversion partners.
• Include state-specific civil commitment paperwork as attachments.
• Cross-reference Use of Force, Domestic Violence Response, and Custodial Interrogation policies.