The Sacramento Police Department plans to create a new training program to better serve those who suffer from mental illness.
In 2015, Sac PD began requiring all police officers and sergeants to attend an eight-hour crisis intervention awareness class. But the department says officers would benefit from additional, specialized training to help people who are suffering from emotional problems or mental illness and their families.
So, the department is asking the Sacramento City Council this week for $700,000 to implement its own Crisis Intervention Training program.
A CIT program typically uses a Peace Officers Standards and Training certified course and provides an officer with 40 hours of instruction.
The department says it would likely take 18 months for every officer to receive training. The Sacramento County Sheriff's Department already has a CIT program and trains officers from across the Sacramento region.
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