Law enforcement participate in Crisis Intervention Team training

OWENSBORO, Ky. (WFIE) – Members of law enforcement go through a lot of rigorous and physical training, but they also go through a lot of mental training as well.

That is exactly what some police from around the region did earlier today in Owensboro.

Members of law enforcement from Owensboro, Henderson, Lewisport, Ohio County and Richmond were in attendance for Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training at RiverValley Behavioral Health.

During CIT training, police are taught how to handle situations that involve people having a mental health crisis. This is something that RiverValley officials said will only be beneficial to the community.

”By providing this training here at RiverValley, they can get to know our professionals, learn about what resources are available to them here in the community so that they can not only share those resources with the individuals that they are encountering, but also utilize those resources in their interaction with those that are experiencing a crisis,” said Michelle Nobles, Vice President of Outpatient & Crisis Services at RiverValley Behavioral Health.

They also learned about substance use disorders, intellectual developmental disabilities and were even taught to be better active listeners.

Pam Oberhausen, a sergeant with the Louisville Metro Police Department and an Instructor for Kentucky CIT Training, said this training is both a useful resource and important skill for law enforcement.

”It is vital, especially with the communication alone. Just learning about communication skills, different ways that someone in crisis communicates, understanding that you may be looking at something differently and you have to adjust how you negate to that person, it is just vital,” said Oberhausen.

One of the biggest pieces of advice Oberhausen had for each of the officers in each training session, is never to judge a book by its cover.

”Do not look at them as far as a mentally ill person. Look at them as just a person who is struggling and who needs help,” said Oberhausen.

According to Oberhausen, one in every four people struggle with some sort of mental illness, and trainings like these are critical, not only for those who are struggling, but also for local law enforcement to better equip themselves with mental health resources.