Officers Embrace New Suicide Prevention & Intervention Skills, part of new mental health training

Students learn from CSB program staff personnel, Mike Ricker, MS.

So far in 2015, there have been 26 suicides in Fairfax County, in addition to many attempts. There were 108 in 2014.

Officers are on the front lines of this heartbreaking issue facing our community. Often, they find themselves speaking with those that have decided to end their lives; the words spoken have significant and serious consequences. A new class addressing suicide prevention and intervention skills was held Wednesday, June 10. Mike Ricker, of the Community Services Board, informed officers of tools they can use to help be more responsive to the needs of those in anguish or contemplating suicide. Through a series of real-world situations and discussion, officers were given clear information and specific resources, expanding their skillsets on this critical issue.

More information on the Community Services Board and their link to local services for people with mental illness, substance use disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities is available at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/csb/. Specific information on suicide prevention, information and resources is at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/csb/prevent-suicide/.

 

Lieutenants Ryan Morgan, FCPD, and Sheriff’s Office, Derrick Ledford help lead the CIT course.

The CSB suicide prevention hotline is 703-527-4077 or text 703-940-0888.

 

(June 8, 2015) New Training Helps Officers

Expand Understanding of Mental Illness

Twenty officers wore iPods and “heard voices” on Monday morning, June 8.

With dark, whispering voices in their heads, officers were asked simple questions, performed tasks, and learned what many people with schizophrenia and other mental health issues live with.

The exercise served as the introductory session for a week-long training, designed to provide officers with a broader perspective and clearer understanding of in-depth mental illness and the harsh, difficult realities that those suffering must contend with each day. This session was led by Tom von Hemert, a renowned expert in the mental health field and CIT program coordinator based in the Charlottesville area.

The overall goal of the new Criminal Justice Academy’s Crisis Intervention Team Training (CIT) course is to improve police interactions with people experiencing acute episodes of mental illness. The training was designed to educate and prepare law enforcement officers who come into contact with people in crisis, to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental illness and to respond effectively and appropriately to the individual.

The training features a variety of speakers and scenarios including: former members of the U.S. military who have experienced severe mental trauma and PTSD who address veterans in crisis, a visit to the psychiatric in-take unit of the adult detention center, and a father of autistic children, who will help officers better understand communications issues concerning autistic individuals.

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Background on CIT within the Fairfax County Police Department:

CIT has been provided to law enforcement officers in the form of in-service training at the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy since 2008. Subject matter experts from Woodburn Mental Health, Mobil Crisis, Community Service Board, et al., serve to not only provide training but to answer questions and expand on officers concerns and experiences.

Currently, 476 Fairfax County police officers have attended the 40-hour CIT program. Of the 476 officers who have attended CIT, 397 of them are assigned to patrol. To date, 397 officers represent approximately 43% of the patrol bureau; the first responders to any given call-for-service. An ambitious goal to train 100% of all sworn Fairfax County police officers in CIT will take time but the return-on-investment is substantial and long lasting. In addition to training experienced officers, the Criminal Justice Academy is vested and committed to train each basic recruit class the fundamentals of CIT. The goal is to ensure every officer has the skillset needed to successfully and efficiently respond to and identify individuals suffering from mental health issues. To meet this goal, the department is working with local and statewide mental health partners to maximize effectiveness and to stay current with best mental health practices. Upwards of 25 DCJS certified instructors plan to attend specialized training provided by our mental health partners in the near future. Those instructors will in-turn assist them and augment future training for law enforcement officers.

The ability of the Fairfax County Police Department to best serve its residents is leveraged by the training employees receive. CIT is an invaluable opportunity to enlighten department personnel to differentiate between criminal behaviors and those who are suffering from mental health/ crisis issues. With the support and commitment of the community, mental health partners and the police department, CIT will help recognize and improve mental health concerns and identify solutions to a growing problem.