Policy Text
OFFICE OF CHIEF OF POLICE
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
TO: All Personnel DATE: 03 Oct 14
SUBJECT: New DGO 0-1.1 CRISIS INTERVENTION PROGRAM
The purpose ofthis new DGO is set forth policy and procedures to ensure the appropriate
triage of individuals with mental health challenges who come to the attention ofthe
Department.
This policy establishes a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT.) CIT personnel receive specialized
training to assist field units and the public when dealing with incidents involving individuals
who are either known or suspected to be in acute mental health or emotional crisis and who
may pose a risk to themselves or others or are determined to be gravely disabled.
The Evaluation Coordinator for this order shall be the Training Commander. The Evaluation
Coordinator shall receive, review and document the acceptance or rejection of all comnlents
and/or recommendations received prior to submitting his/her six-month evaluation report.
The Evaluation Coordinator shall forward a copy ofthe six-month evaluation report, along
with the comments/recommendations received, without further notice, to the Planning and
Research Section.
Personnel shall acknowledge receipt, review, and understanding of this directive in
accordance with the provisions ofDGO A-I, DEPARTMENTAL PUBLICATIONS.
By order of
Sean Whent
Chief of Police Date Signed: _'_O_~_'_-t_I./ _
DEPARTMENTAL
GENERAL
ORDER
O-1.1
Index as:
Crisis Intervention Program Effective Date:
03 Oct 14
Evaluation Coordinator:
Training Commander
Evaluation Due Date:
03 Apr 15
Automatic Revision Cycle:
3 Years
Page 1 of 5
CRISIS INTERVENTION PROGRAM
The purpose of this order is to set forth Department policy and procedures to ensure the
appropriate triage of individuals with mental health challenges who come to the attention
of the Oakland Police Department.
I. INTRODUC TION
The Chief of Police has establish ed the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) to carry out
the mission of the Crisis Intervention Program .
II. MISSION
CIT personnel are trained to respond to incidents and attempt to provide evaluation,
de-escalation and referral services in dealing with incidents involving individuals
who are either known or suspected to be in acute mental health or emotional crisis
and who may pose a risk to themselves or others or are determined to be gravely
disabled.
III. CIT PERSONN EL
The CIT Coordinator shall coordinate efforts to recruit and accept requests from
interested sworn personnel to become CIT members. The duties of a trained and
certified CIT officer s shall be considered an ancillary assignment.
IV. TRAINING
Officers selected to become part of the CIT shall receive CIT training and be
certified as a member of the CIT.
A. Selected CIT candidates shall attend a n approved training program
consisting of instruction regarding mental illness, basic crisis intervention ,
de-escalation of crisis situations and available community resources.
Training will enable CIT personnel to deal more effectively with
individuals suffering from mental health challenges .
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT O-1.1 Effective Date:
03 Oct 14
Page 2 of 5 B. The CIT Program has five primary goals:
1. To de-escalate cr isis situations ;
2. To reduce the necessity for the use of force ;
3. To decrease recidivism among jail inmates who experience mental
health cha llenges ;
4. To create a working collaboration with community agencies ; and
5. To increase lawful self -reliance and health enhancing behaviors.
C. Certified CIT officers may wear the authorized pin on their Class B uniform
identifying them as a CIT member.
V. POLICY
A. CIT members shall respond to calls for service involving individuals
experiencing men tal health emergencies. The use of CIT trained personnel
is not limited to situations or calls involving the mentally ill .
The use of CIT members extends to any circumstance wherein an individual
may be in need of crisis intervention due to a psychologi cal/emotional
crisis , and/or when the individual may be a danger to themselves or others ,
and/or may be gravely disabled .
B. Dispatch of CIT Personnel
The Communications Section shall attempt to dispatch an available CIT
unit to any call coded “ 5150 ”, “5 150B”, or “evaluation” or any calls
suspected of i nvolving a mental health crisis .
C. Persons (subject, family member or caregiver) who do not meet the criteria
set forth in section 5150 of the Welfare and Institutions Code ( W&I ) but
desire mental health services shall be provided , when practical :
1. Mental Health Resource Card
2. Informational resources (e.g., liaison for contacts/referrals); and/or
3. Assistance in making a rrangements for voluntary or out -patient
treatment, including transportation .
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT O-1.1 Effective Date:
03 Oct 14
Page 3 of 5 VI. PROCEDURES
A. Communications Section
The Communications Section shall attempt to dispatch an available CIT
unit to any call coded “ 5150 ”, “5150B”, or “evaluation” or any calls
suspected of involving a mental health crisis utilizing the following
procedures:
1. Dispatch the closest available CIT officer to the call (CIT trained
personnel are flagged in the CAD system);
2. Advise