The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program is a community partnership of law enforcement, mental health and addiction professionals, individuals who live with mental illness and/or addiction disorders, their families, and other advocates. It is an innovative first-responder model of police-based crisis intervention training to help persons with mental disorders and/or addictions access medical treatment rather than place them in the criminal justice system due to illness-related behaviors. It also promotes officer safety and the safety of the individual in crisis.
The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program provides the foundation necessary to promote community and statewide solutions to assist individuals with mental illness and/or addictions. The CIT Model reduces both stigma and the need for further involvement with the criminal justice system. CIT provides a forum for effective problem solving regarding the interaction between the criminal justice and mental health care system and creates the context for sustainable change.
Research also shows that communities that prescribe to the CIT Program model, have higher success rates in resolving serious crisis situations.
Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Trainings
CIT Oakland follows the Memphis Model and Core Elements of CIT, which is based on the premise that experienced officers who volunteer are best at responding to mental illness calls. For this reason, we have an application process that must be completed prior to allowing participation in courses hosted by our team. **Priority is given to Oakland County law enforcement officers**
CIT Oakland 40-Hour Training
The CIT Oakland training is a 40-hour comprehensive training provided to law enforcement on mental health. The goal of the training is to teach officers to de-escalate situations where an individual is in crisis. This training is a collaborative effort between Oakland Community Health Network, OCC CREST, local law enforcement agencies, and behavioral health providers. At this time, this training is only open to Oakland County law enforcement agencies. Empty heading
Empty hCIT Oakland follows the Memphis Model and Core Elements of CIT, which is based on the premise that experienced officers who volunteer are best at responding to mental illness calls. For this reason, we have an application process that must be completed prior to allowing participation in courses hosted by our team. **Priority is given to Oakland County law enforcement officers**
- The 8-hour Mental Health First Aid course is strongly recommended prior to attending this 40-hour course.
- Applicants must have one year post academy experience.
2026 Application for CIT Oakland 40-Hour CIT Training
CIT Dispatch Training
The CIT Oakland Dispatch training is a 40-hour comprehensive training provided to Emergency Dispatchers on mental health. The goal of the training is to recognize individuals in a potential crisis, understand the Dispatcher’s role in triaging crisis calls and begin de-escalation until Law Enforcement is on site. This training is a collaborative effort between Oakland Community Health Network, local law enforcement agencies, and behavioral health providers.
2026 CIT Oakland – Dispatch Training Application
CIT-Y 8-Hour Training
CIT-Y trains police officers on response techniques that are appropriate for youth with behavioral health needs. Many youth come in contact with law enforcement for disruptive or delinquent behaviors that are related to an untreated or undetected mental, substance, or trauma-related condition. This initial contact with law enforcement represents an opportunity to connect youth with mental health services or refer the youth for behavioral health screening and evaluation. The standard CIT training focuses primarily on response techniques for adults. While there are some general similarities between adults and youth, there are important and unique distinctions that require specialized knowledge and training.
Coming Soon!
CIT Advanced Refresher 8-Hour Training
CIT Oakland will be launching a refresher training with advanced scenarios for law enforcement officers who have complete the 40-hour CIT Training more than one year prior. This training will cover de-escalation strategies, review of civil commitment laws and other legal considerations, as well as updates on local Oakland County resources. Refresher training should be done every 3-5 years.
Objectives and Achievements
Basic CIT Goals
- Improve officer and individual safety.
- Help people with mental disorders and/or addictions access medical treatment rather than place them in the criminal justice system due to illness-related behaviors.
Recent Accomplishments
In 2025, CIT Oakland marked two major accomplishments:
Platinum Certification: CIT Oakland earned the Platinum Level Certification through
CIT International, awarded to programs that exemplify CIT best practices and serve as models for programs across the globe.
MCOLES Approval: Both the 40-hour CIT and 8-hour CIT-Y trainings are approved to provide Continuing Professional Education (CPE) as designated by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES).
CIT International, Michigan
CIT International, Michigan is a statewide partnership dedicated to advancing CIT at local and state levels. The team supports the basic goals of CIT International:
- Advocate for CIT development at local, regional, and state levels through the use of councils, legislature, an annual state conference, and funding.
- Improve officer and community safety.
- Increase access to treatment for people with mental health and substance use disorders in the criminal legal system, including expansion of pre-booking diversion programs.
