Law enforcement personnel from across Lane County completed a 40-hour Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training last week in Springfield.
The training was hosted by the Lane County Regional Crisis Intervention Team at the Springfield Police Department and Hillview Baptist Church.
Regional Collaboration
The Regional Crisis Intervention Team includes coordinators from the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, the Eugene Police Department, and the Springfield Police Department, with support from a steering committee of local mental health stakeholders.
Thirty-one attendees participated, including deputies, dispatchers and officers from agencies such as the Oakridge and Cottage Grove police departments, as well as Lane Transit District.
Focus on Mental Health and De-Escalation
The CIT training includes classroom instruction on:
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Mental health conditions and addiction
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De-escalation techniques
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Alternatives to incarceration
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Tactical communication strategies
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Local crisis and community resources
Participants also heard presentations from community members with lived mental health experience and took part in scenario-based training modeled on real-life situations.
Organizers said the course addresses encounters with specific communities, including military veterans, LGBTQIA+ individuals and people with developmental disabilities. The training concludes with a focus on officer resilience and mental wellness.
Officials said the goal is to better equip officers to respond safely and effectively when encountering people in crisis, while connecting individuals to appropriate community resources.
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