Ten newly trained officers have been added to Hawaii Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Team that takes an innovative approach to police-based crisis intervention.
In addition to Hawaii Police Department officers, the 10 includes three deputies from the State of Hawaii Sheriff’s Division, three officers from the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement, and two Police Communications officers from the HPD Communications Dispatch Section, marking a significant milestone in the program, according to a news release.
The officers, all assigned to the East Hawaii area, completed a 40-hour course and were recognized in a ceremony earlier this month.
It’s the fifth CIT training course held on Hawaii Island — one held in Kona earlier in the year resulted in 12 Hawaii Police Department personnel completing the CIT training. The course is sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI Hawaii) the Hawaii State Rural Health Association, Hawaii Police Department and Mayor Mitch Roth’s office.
The Hawaii Police Department now has 77 CIT-certified officers.
The Crisis Intervention Team program is a collaboration between law enforcement, mental health providers and community advocates providing specialized training to officers so they can de-escalate situations involving individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.
Studies have shown that CIT can significantly alter a dire situation by reducing the use of force, improving safety outcomes for individuals and officers, and fostering a positive relationship between law enforcement and the community.
According to the Hawaii Police Department, the move to extend the training to other agencies and dispatchers will help improve crisis response across the island.