Chamblee Police Department recently completed the One Mind Campaign Pledge. This campaign, by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, ensures successful interactions between officers and persons with mental illness, according to a press release.
Some departments estimate that as many as 20% of their calls for service are related to mental health.
CPD worked with IACP to develop and implement the model policy to address officers’ interactions with those affected by mental illness. The model policy also ensures officers received mental health awareness training. The 40-hour Crisis Intervention curriculum was designed to train Chamblee’s specialized officers to respond to calls that involve individuals with mental health disorders, such as depression or intellectual disability. The curriculum includes education on various de-escalation techniques as well as live role-play scenarios of officers responding to persons who need mental health assistance.
“Chamblee joins only a few other agencies in Georgia completing the One Mind Pledge. CPD established a sustainable partnership with Covenant House Georgia,” adds Assistant Chief Beller. “This will better equip our officers to handle these calls. One hundred percent of our sworn officers are trained and certified in Mental Health First Aid, and more than 30% of our sworn officers are trained and certified in Crisis Intervention.”
Information: www.chambleega.gov or 770-986-5010.
About the Author
