About the CIT program

The Ventura County Law Enforcement
Crisis Intervention Team Program

A national model for a proactive interface between Ventura County law enforcement agencies for the care and treatment of mentally ill individuals.

Goals

• Reduce the necessity for the use-of-force
• De-escalate crisis situations
• Reduce the use of jail
• Decrease recidivism
• Increase lawful self-reliance and health enhancing behaviors

Objectives

• Train and maintain at least 20% of patrol officers and dispatchers in a 40-hour mental health training.
• Increase the percentage of individuals linked with treatment through interagency meetings.
• Conduct ongoing update trainings.
• Conduct ongoing CIT stakeholder/advisory meetings.
• Conduct 8 hour "Police Response to People with Mental Illness or Developmental Disability" trainings to all non-CIT officers.

Strategy

Our strategy for accomplishing this mission is to facilitate the safe and secure assessment and transportation of an individual in crisis, who meets the criteria established in Welfare and Instructions Code (WIC) Section 5150, to an appropriate mental health facility. CIT program staff shall act as a law enforcement liaison with the Behavioral Health Department (BHD), and other agencies and organizations.

Current Status

40% of patrol officers trained countywide.
25% of dispatchers trained countywide.