The Variability in Law Enforcement State Standards: A 42-State Survey on Mental Health and De-escalation Training
New Report Reveals Differences among State Law Enforcement Training Standards for Responding to People with Mental Illnesses
The CSG Justice Center, in partnership with the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST), today released the results of a national survey on state law enforcement training standards for responding to people with mental illnesses. Developed with funding support from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), the report details results from 42 state training authorities and reveals that, while nearly all states have law enforcement training standards on mental health and crisis de-escalation, the required training hours, topics, and teaching methods differ widely. Survey respondents reported, for example, that training on mental health and de-escalation topics ranged from 2–40 hours for recruits or new officers.
The Variability in Law Enforcement State Standards: A 42-State Survey on Mental Health and Crisis De-escalation Training provides a snapshot of how state training standards are being used to improve responses to people with mental illnesses. The report also serves as part of the CSG Justice Center’s continued efforts to study and improve state-level strategies that empower local law enforcement agencies to more effectively address mental health issues. Although state standards can promote consistent minimum requirements, they are one of several mechanisms that should be considered to promote quality training; ensure that training is part of a comprehensive police-mental health collaboration; and help local agencies receive the supports needed to safely reduce arrests and injuries, increase diversion to treatment, and promote compassionate responses that build trust between police and community.
Apply to participate in a virtual learning collaborative consisting of three sessions about how to improve criminal case…
Read More
The Judges and Psychiatrists Leadership Initiative outlines their next steps to advance equitable health and justice outcomes.
Read More
Apply for short-term, free support to better understand how people with mental illnesses move through your local criminal…
Read More
Court Case Processing Learning Collaborative: Improving Caseflow Management for Defendants with Behavioral Health Needs
Apply to participate in a virtual learning collaborative consisting of three sessions about how to improve criminal case processing for defendants with behavioral health needs.
Read More
A Shared Commitment to Equitable Outcomes in Justice and Health
The Judges and Psychiatrists Leadership Initiative outlines their next steps to advance equitable health and justice outcomes.
Read More
Apply Now for Short-Term, Free Support
Apply for short-term, free support to better understand how people with mental illnesses move through your local criminal justice system.
Read More
States Taking Action: Law Enforcement
A quick look at legislative efforts in states on law enforcement-related issues.
Read More
Explainer: The Significance of Vermont’s Justice Reinvestment Legislation
Vermont Governor Phil Scott recently signed a bipartisan criminal justice bill designed to reduce recidivism and dissect racial disparities in the state’s prisons.
Read More
House Appropriations Committee Approves '21 Funding for DOJ Programs
The funding includes continued investment in key programs, including Justice Reinvestment and the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program.
Read More