Crisis Intervention
Crisis Intervention is a specialized approach used by law enforcement officers to handle emergency situations involving people in mental or emotional distress. It's like having a special toolbox of communication and de-escalation techniques that help officers safely manage situations involving mental health issues, substance abuse, or other crisis situations. Officers trained in crisis intervention know how to recognize signs of mental illness or emotional distress and can respond in ways that help calm the situation rather than escalate it. This approach is sometimes called CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) training or mental health response.
Examples in Resumes
Completed 40-hour Crisis Intervention certification and handled over 200 mental health calls
Led Crisis Intervention Team responses for mental health emergencies in urban patrol district
Trained new officers in Crisis Intervention and CIT techniques
Successfully applied Crisis Intervention strategies to de-escalate over 150 high-risk situations
Typical job title: "Crisis Intervention Officers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Crisis Intervention Officers
Professional Organizations
Training Resources
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: Describe a complex crisis situation you managed and how you coordinated multiple resources to resolve it.
Expected Answer: Looking for examples of leadership in challenging situations, ability to coordinate with mental health professionals, medical services, and other agencies while maintaining scene safety and achieving positive outcomes.
Q: How would you develop and implement a crisis intervention training program for your department?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of training needs assessment, curriculum development, integration with existing procedures, and measurement of program effectiveness.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What de-escalation techniques have you found most effective in crisis situations?
Expected Answer: Should describe specific communication strategies, maintaining safe distance, tone of voice, body language, and building rapport with individuals in crisis.
Q: How do you assess whether someone needs mental health intervention versus law enforcement action?
Expected Answer: Should explain behavioral cues, risk assessment, understanding of mental health symptoms, and knowledge of available community resources.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the basic principles of crisis intervention?
Expected Answer: Should mention officer safety, communication skills, recognizing signs of mental illness, and basic de-escalation techniques.
Q: How would you approach someone who appears to be in mental health crisis?
Expected Answer: Should describe maintaining safe distance, using calm voice, non-threatening body language, and basic engagement techniques.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic crisis communication skills
- Understanding of mental health symptoms
- Knowledge of department crisis protocols
- Basic de-escalation techniques
Mid (2-5 years)
- Advanced de-escalation techniques
- Mental health resource coordination
- Crisis scene management
- Family intervention skills
Senior (5+ years)
- Crisis team leadership
- Program development and training
- Multi-agency coordination
- Complex case management
Red Flags to Watch For
- No formal crisis intervention training
- History of excessive force complaints
- Poor communication skills
- Lack of patience or empathy
- Unwillingness to work with mental health professionals
Related Terms
Need more hiring wisdom? Check these out...
Addressing Mental Health in the Workplace: A Guide for Forward-Thinking Leaders
From Farewells to Future Allies: Transforming Exit Interviews into Lifelong Connections
Stop the Turnover Epidemic: Proven Tactics Every HR Leader Must Know
