What is a primary goal of crisis intervention training for peace officers?

The primary goal of crisis intervention training for peace officers is to help individuals access community resources. This approach empowers officers with the skills to effectively engage with individuals experiencing mental health crises, ensuring that these individuals receive appropriate support and services rather than merely dealing with them through enforcement measures.

Through this training, officers learn to identify signs of mental health issues and to understand the challenges faced by individuals in crisis. This understanding helps bridge the gap between law enforcement and mental health services, allowing officers to direct individuals toward resources that can provide ongoing support and treatment. In this way, crisis intervention training promotes recovery and de-escalation, rather than simply focusing on containment or punitive actions.