1 Crisis Recognition And ResponseICAT: Integrating Communications, Assessment, and Tactics INSERT AGENCY LOGO

2 Crisis Recognition And ResponseQuestion to Consider What are the key challenges police officers face when dealing with persons in behavioral crisis?

3 Crisis Recognition And ResponseRecognizing a Person in Crisis

4 Crisis Recognition And ResponseBehavioral Crisis: A Definition An episode of mental and/or emotional distress that is creating instability or danger and is considered disruptive by the community, friends, family or the person him/herself Adapted from the Seattle Police Department

5 Crisis Recognition And ResponseHow Does a Crisis Typically Occur? Precipitating event Person’s perception of the event Normal methods of coping fail Resulting in … Breakdown in control Inability to respond appropriately Feeling overwhelmed Adapted from Police Training Institute University of Illinois Call on Jeff Thompson

6 Crisis Recognition And ResponseWhy Should I Care? People in crisis need help Crises can impact public and officer safety It’s our job – to serve and protect Reflects mission, values & ethics – sanctity of life Call on Jeff Thompson

7 Crisis Recognition And ResponseMental Illness Perception disorder Thought disorder Mood disorder PTSD Emotionally Distressed Person Call on Jeff Thompson Adapted from Nassau County, NY Police Department

8 Crisis Recognition And ResponseMental Illness Substance Abuse Alcohol Illegal drugs Synthetics Combination Emotionally Distressed Person Call on Jeff Thompson Adapted from Nassau County, NY Police Department

9 Crisis Recognition And ResponseMental Illness Substance Abuse Emotionally Distressed Person Effects of Medication Traumatic Brain Injury Call on Jeff Thompson Medical Condition Adapted from Nassau County, NY Police Department

10 Crisis Recognition And ResponseMental Illness Substance Abuse Emotionally Distressed Person Career Financial Relationship Call on Jeff Thompson Medical Condition Situational Stress Adapted from Nassau County, NY Police Department

11 Crisis Recognition And ResponsePersons with Intellectual and Development Disabilities Autism spectrum disorder Cerebral palsy Epilepsy Developmental delay May result in difficulties in communication, adaptive living skills, self-direction, mobility. Call on Jeff Thompson

12 Crisis Recognition And ResponsePersons with Physical Disabilities Deaf/hard of hearing Blind/low vision Muscular Dystrophy Multiple Sclerosis Stroke Alzheimer’s Huntington’s Disease Head/spinal cord injury May make it difficult for people to hear, comprehend and follow directions – and to respond back to you. Call on Jeff Thompson

13 Crisis Recognition And ResponsePersons with disabilities may exhibit same behaviors as EDPs Don’t always assume it’s mental illness Could be one of many factors – or a combination of several Focus on subject’s behavior Call on Jeff Thompson

14 Crisis Recognition And ResponseAnother Approach – Ask! Ask the person … Are you on medication? Do you normally see a doctor? Ask family members or friends nearby … Does the person have a mental health condition? Ask Dispatch Get more information, ask follow-up questions Call on Jeff Thompson

15 Crisis Recognition And ResponseWhy do you want to know what’s behind someone’s erratic behavior? Best approaches to help stabilize the situation What communications strategies to employ What additional resources you may need Up-front awareness and recognition are key to a safe and effective response. Call on Jeff Thompson

16 Crisis Recognition And ResponseResponding to a Person in Crisis

17 Crisis Recognition And ResponseWhat the encounter looks like from another perspective Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=texgQ_ZtsLw

18 Crisis Recognition And ResponseSome Facts about People with Mental Illness Biological illness like heart disease 0r cancer Nobody “chooses” to develop a mental illness There is no cure, but many people stabilize to live full, productive lives Medications help, but they are not perfect and there can be episodes or side-effects Adapted from Seattle Police Department

19 Crisis Recognition And ResponsePeople with Mental Illness and the Criminal Justice System People with serious mental illness can be violent But most people with mental illness are not, and never will be, violent Jail is often not a helpful place to get stabilized Most people, even in a behavioral crisis, respond positively to kind and patient behavior Sources: National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

20 Crisis Recognition And ResponseCrisis Intervention A process to assist individuals in finding safe and productive outcomes to unsettling events Adapted from Police Training Institute University of Illinois

21 Crisis Recognition And ResponseTwo Principles Guiding Your Response Your mission is not to diagnose or treat/solve underlying issues Your top priority is to verbally defuse and stabilize the situation, when feasible

22 Crisis Recognition And ResponseEmotional–Rational Thinking Scale Courtesy of Detective Jeff Thompson, NYPD

23 Crisis Recognition And ResponseThree-Phase Response Process Ensure the scene is safe Try to get the person stabilized Begin the problem-solving process (often by bringing in other resources)

24 Crisis Recognition And ResponseTrying to Defuse a Critical Situation Does Not… Take away your discretion to make an arrest, where probable cause exists Restrict your ability to use force when faced with an imminent threat But these should be considered last resorts whenever possible

25 Crisis Recognition And ResponseHow To Approach Persons in Crisis – Some Practical Tips and Techniques Request backup & specialized help Don’t rush (unless immediate action needed) Continually assess and re-assess Communicate, communicate, communicate Have a conversation Clear and simple statements Open-ended questions Active listening

26 Crisis Recognition And ResponseHow To Approach Persons in Crisis – Some Practical Tips and Techniques Request backup & specialized help Don’t rush (unless immediate action needed) Continually assess and re-assess Communicate, communicate, communicate Watch your body language Be aware of “hot buttons” and “hooks” Consider “doing the opposite" Always be respectful

27 Crisis Recognition And ResponseYour Goal: Make a Connection

28 Crisis Recognition And ResponseBehavioral Change Staircase Adapted from FBI Behavioral Change Stairway Model

29 Crisis Recognition And ResponseSome Things Not To Do Don’t join in the person’s behavior Don’t confuse the person Don’t diminish the person Don’t lie or deceive Don’t automatically view non-compliance as a threat

30 Crisis Recognition And ResponseManage Your own Reactions Officers can experience similar physiological changes as a subject in crisis Important to consciously slow your breathing, move slowly and smoothly, and stay in control

31 Crisis Recognition And ResponseLink to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jizOcTUlfV4 Appleton, WI

32 Crisis Recognition And ResponseQuick Recap There could be many causes for a person to be in crisis – mental illness is one of them Your priority is not to diagnose and resolve the situation – it’s to defuse, stabilize and get help

33 Crisis Recognition And ResponseQuick Recap As emotions rise, rational thinking declines – lowering their emotions helps people think more rationally Empathy, communication, respect, making a connection – all about trying to get voluntary compliance

34 Crisis Recognition And ResponseThoughts? Questions? Observations?