Houston Police Department
Police-mental health collaboration (PMHC) programs support law enforcement agencies around the country in planning and implementing effective public safety responses to people who have mental illnesses.
At A Glance
Total number of agency personnel:
6,354
Sworn: 5,161
Civilian: 1,193
Total population served:
2.3 million
Jurisdiction:
Houston, Texas
Program Highlights
- Multi-faceted strategy staffed by various personnel including crisis intervention-trained (CIT) patrol officers, co-responder units, a Homeless Outreach Team, a Boarding Homes Enforcement Detail, a Chronic Consumer Stabilization Initiative, a Crisis Call Diversion program, a Senior Justice Assessment Center, and trained dispatchers and call takers
- Mental health training for all officers that includes:
- 40-hour Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training for all cadets
- 8-hour annual advanced CIT classes
- State-mandated 8-hour CIT refresher for all officers with their Basic Peace Officer Certification
- 40-hour Mental Health Peace Officer class for veteran officers
- State-mandated 40-hour CIT class for Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced certification
- State-mandated 8-hour De-escalation class for all cadets, Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced state certifications
- 24-hour Telecommunications Crisis Communications class for tele-communicators (e.g., dispatchers)
Program Overview
Shepherds in Blue
Police-mental health collaboration (PMHC) programs support law enforcement agencies around the country in planning and implementing effective public safety responses to people who have mental illnesses.
Contact
Rebecca Skillern
Police Officer, Lead CIT Trainer
17000 Aldine Westfield Rd.
Houston, TX 77073
(832) 394-2348
rebecca.skillern@houstonpolice.org