2009 News

September 18, 2009

First Bucks County Police Officers Receive CIT Designation
Crisis intervention team model introduced in Bucks County

Today, the Bucks County Commissioners lauded the first graduating class of 21 police officers in the new CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) program.  CIT is an innovative, first-responder model of police-based, crisis intervention developed with community, behavioral healthcare, and advocacy partnerships.  Officers from Bensalem Twp., Bristol Borough, Bristol Twp., and Northampton Twp. participated in the weeklong training leading to certification as a CIT officer.

Commissioners Charles H. Martin and Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia announced the launch of the program, which is several years in the making.  The program is being piloted by the four participating police departments, in the hopes the model will be adopted county-wide.

“CIT is an excellent enhancement for our law enforcement community, as well as those with mental health challenges” said Commissioner Martin, “This collaborative model allows officers to be better equipped to safely get affected individuals the appropriate help that they need.” 

CIT in Bucks County started in 2006 as an effort by the Commissioners to address jail overcrowding and to design a program to help police officers effectively respond to individuals in crisis whose behaviors bring them in contact with law enforcement. 

Police officers throughout the county had sought a program to deal with individuals they believed would be better served in a treatment setting.  Bucks County Behavioral Health staff recommended, and the commissioners approved, the use of HealthChoices Reinvestment funds to enhance the county-sponsored, crisis service operated by Lenape Valley Foundation at Lower Bucks Hospital.  CIT was added as a component on the recommendation of the Bucks County NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) chapter.

Earlier this year, 120 law enforcement management and patrol officers participated in an introductory training regarding the CIT model and its benefits to the community.  It will be offered to other municipalities during October-November 2009.

CIT is a jail diversion program designed to improve the outcomes of police interactions with individuals whose behavior is influenced by mental illness, substance use, mental retardation and related conditions.  Officers learn to recognize psychiatric distress and other conditions and how to de-escalate a crisis — avoiding officer injuries, consumer deaths and tragedy for the community. In addition, CIT officers learn how to link people with appropriate treatment, which has a positive impact on fostering recovery and reducing recidivism.

Research has proven that CIT training reduces arrests, the use of restraint, citizen and police officer injuries, hospitalization, and vastly improves the safety and satisfaction of all involved.

Attending the graduation ceremony in addition to Commissioner Martin and Marseglia were Bernard McBride and Anthony Sevick, Bucks County Behavioral Health; Mayor Joseph DiGiralamo and Fred Harran, public safety director, Bensalem Twp.; Chief Barry Pilla, Northampton Twp.; Chief Barry McAndrews, Bristol Twp.; Chief Arnold Porter, Bristol Borough; Alan Hartl and Sharon Curran of Lenape Valley Foundation; and Agnes McFarlane, NAMI.