$1.2M coming to Rhode Island to expand crisis intervention training for officers

WEST WARWICK, R.I. (WLNE) — $1.2 million will come to Rhode Island to expand crisis intervention training for police departments across the state.

This program, CIT, is an innovative and community-based approach to improve the outcomes of calls involving mental health or addiction issues.

Sens. Jack Reed and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse joined representatives of Thundermist Health Center and other officers across the state to announce this initiative.

According to Rhode Island officials, about 60% of local police departments have already sent an officer to CIT training. This funding will allow more officers to get that training.

Whitehouse said Monday that this type of training is needed now more than ever coming out of a pandemic.

Thundermist Health Center is teaming up with the Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association to equip local police departments with the tools to get those in need the proper mental help, rather than putting them in the justice system.

The funding will no only help those who are being responded to, but the first responders as well.