The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office (STPSO) took significant strides in advancing mental health crisis interventions this week, as it spearheaded a comprehensive Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training program that drew law enforcement personnel from across Louisiana for a specialized learning experience. During the weeklong session, officers and representatives from various law enforcement divisions and agencies engaged in immersive instruction, with a syllabus crafted to enhance their understanding and skills in behavioral health crisis response.
As reported on the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office social media channels, Sheriff Randy Smith, who has been a vocal advocate for the CIT program, delivered remarks to the class, stressing the critical nature of CIT training for the agency and the community at large, asserting "proactive, compassionate crisis response saves lives and builds stronger connections with those we serve." The training was not just a local affair, participants hailed from several agencies including STPSO's own Corrections and Patrol divisions, as well as the School Resource division, joining forces with peers from the Pearl River PD, Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office, and several other state law enforcement entities.
Throughout the week officers were put through their paces with a curriculum developed in collaboration with experts from an array of organizations, such as NAMI Southeastern Louisiana and Ochsner. According to the STPSO Facebook post, topics tackled during the training entailed critical and sensitive subjects including mental illness, suicide awareness, homelessness, legal considerations, officer wellness, and de-escalation techniques – all designed to equip officers with the knowledge to effectively manage crises while considering the well-being of individuals involved.
