East Bay Officers Get Training To Deal With Mental Health Issues
OAKLAND (CBS SF) - A number of Bay Area first responders will soon be equipped with new training on handling people suffering from mental illness.
Officers from eight Bay Area agencies have completed a course on how to respond to metal health concerns on a call.
The Oakland Police Department, in partnership with the Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services, hosted the first Crisis Intervention Training for law enforcement officers this week. The first group of CIT trainees graduated on Thursday.
The 38-hour seminar will help officers respond more effectively to a wide range of psychological problems.
The Oakland police department said in 2009 alone 5,600 service calls involved a mental health component.
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