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ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE GENERAL ORDER This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Policy 3. Definitions 4. Procedures 1. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to establish operational guidelines for the use of the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT). 2. Policy It is the policy of the agency to use, whenever possible, a specially trained group of deputies, who shall be first responders to the mentally ill in crisis. 3. Definitions A. 40-Hour Crisis Intervention Training – an education program that provides law enforcement -based crisis intervention training for helping those individuals with mental illness and/or addictions. B. Crisis Intervention Trained Deputy – a deputy who has successfully completed the 40 -Hour Crisis Intervention Training and is not classified to receive sp ecialty pay compensation. C. Crisis Intervention Team Member (CIT Member) – an active CIT Member that receives specialty pay compensation in accordance with prescribed standards for active CIT participation. D. Crisis Intervention Team – a team of specially trained deputies who are designated to handle situations involving the mentally ill in crisis. CIT Members only handle those incidents that do not rise to a level of a high -risk incident. (See GO 6.2.8 ) E. Crisis – a crisis could consist of a call for service involving a person having paranoid delusions or hallucinations, displaying erratic behavior (disorientation, disorganized Effective Date: May 11, 2024  Amends - SO 6.4.0 (September 9, 2022) Number: 6.4.0 Distribution: All Personnel Review Month: May Reviewing Authority: UPD / CIT Subject: Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) 6.4.0, Page 2 of 4 speech or confusion), causing a disturbance (mania, belligerent, angry or hostile), and talking to themselves or other activity that causes alarm or concern to the average person. The calls for service can also include Baker Acts, suicidal persons, and “wanderers” with dementia or Alzheimer patients and disorderly or intoxicated persons. It could involve an armed person threatening or actually engaging in violence or harm to another or self -neglect such as refusing to take prescribed medicines. It may also include nuisance type call s for service (loitering, panhandling or trespassing). F. Crisis Intervention Tracking Form –a form available on the agency Portal used to document actions, interactions, or interventions by CIT Deputies as it relates to their crisis intervention training. The form may also document when follow -up actions are needed or necessary. The form will be forwarded via interoffice and e -mail to the CIT Commander or designee. G. Mental Illness – a range of conditions, each with its own specific characteristics , including: 1. Schizophrenia 2. Bipolar disorder (manic depression) 3. Major depression 4. Schizo -affective disorder 5. Panic disorder 6. Obsessive -compulsive personality disorder 7. Borderline personality disorder, or 8. Other mental illnesses as defined in the DSM -V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as published by the American Psychiatric Association, most current edition) that can cause disturbances in thinking, feeling and relating with others or the environment. 4. Procedures A. The Crisis Interven tion Team (CIT) Commander shall be a Captain or above, as designated by the Sheriff. The Assistant CIT Commander shall be a Lieutenant or above, as designated by the CIT Commander. The CIT Coordinator shall be a Corporal or above, as designated by the CIT Commander. The CIT Administrative Assistant shall be designated by the CIT Commander. The CIT Commander, Assistant CIT Commander, CIT Coordinator, CIT Administrative Assistant and designated personnel are to be utilized as points of contact for issues involving the mentally ill. B. Whenever possible, a CIT member shall be dispatched to calls involving a confirmed or suspected mentally ill person in crisis. C. The first CIT member on the scene shall be responsible for the entire call, to include dialogue with the mentally ill person, determining appropriate action to be taken and all paperwork. Other deputies on the scene shall provide backup and perimeter as needed. The CIT Deputy shall maintain scene responsibility unless otherwise directed by a commanding officer. The CIT Deputy shall document his/her actions on the Crisis Intervention Tracking Form and forward the tracking form, via email, to the CIT Administrative Assistant. D. On occasion, CIT personnel may need to verbally engage an armed mentally ill individual who is threatening or actually engaged in violence or harm to themselves or others. These situations are considered High Risk Incidents and should involve a 6.4.0, Page 3 of 4 CIT Member, when possible, while the Hostage Negotiation Team is notified and responding. E. Selection of CIT Members will consist of the following criteria: 1. Three years as an Orange County Sheriff's Office deputy . 2. Currently assigned