Springfield, OR – Dozens of Lane County law enforcement officers completed a 40-hour Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training this week, part of a regional effort to improve police response to individuals experiencing mental health crises.
According to the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, the training was held at the Springfield Police Department and Hillview Baptist Church in Springfield. The program brought together officers from multiple agencies, including the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, Springfield Police Department, Eugene Police Department, Junction City Police Department, and others.
CIT training is designed to teach law enforcement how to recognize, de-escalate, and assist people in mental health emergencies. The curriculum covers addiction awareness, communication strategies, and alternatives to incarceration. Participants also hear directly from community members with lived experience of mental illness and recovery…