Coordinate with law enforcement communications
Just as it is important to select the right officers for CIT, it is also important to ensure that law enforcement communications (i.e. dispatch) is integrated into the CIT program. All communications specialists need to be familiar with CIT so that they know when it is appropriate to dispatch a CIT officer in response to a crisis call event. Law enforcement communications procedures should be aligned with CIT procedures to ensure CIT service is seamless.
Perspectives: Many departments provide a brief CIT-like training to dispatchers, including mental health didactic topics and basic verbal de-escalation skills. Other departments send dispatchers to a full 40 hours of CIT training alongside officers.
Resources
University of Memphis CIT Center, Crisis Intervention Team Core Elements (page 12)