Overview

            The “Crisis Intervention Team” are members of the police department that have been trained in “Crisis Intervention Training” by C.A.B.L.E. (Connecticut Alliance to Benefit Law Enforcement).  “Crisis Intervention Training” is geared to teach officers how to deal with individuals with mental illnesses, what techniques that may be beneficial when having contact with someone showing signs of a disorder and/or going through a difficult time, etc.  The majority of the training is provided by people who work in the mental health field, officers trained in dealing with the mentally ill as well as individuals who have a mental illness. 

History

            In October 2005, the New Britain Police Department started to send its “Crisis Negotiator Team” members for “Crisis Intervention Training”.

            In May 2010, members in patrol division began to be trained in “Crisis Intervention Training”.     

Selection

            The Chief of Police or his/her designee selects the officers who will serve as C.I.T. Officers from a volunteer list. 

The “Pathfinder” Patch/Pin

            The uniformed team members are authorized to wear the “Pathfinder” patch on the left sleeve below the Department’s patch or the “Pathfinder” pin on the outside right pocket flap in the center below their name tag.