HYANNIS – About three dozen police officers from across Cape Cod begin training today in Hyannis to be able to handle individuals dealing with mental illness.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness received grant funding from the Weny Foundation to create Community Crisis Intervention Training, which will be conducted for five days over the next two weeks.
Officers from 13 out of 15 Cape Cod towns and the State police Bourne Barracks will participate in the training at the Cape Codder Resort which consists of exercises and presentations from several community service organizations.
“The purpose is to train police officers who are on the front lines when it comes to dealing often with someone that’s in a mental health crisis,” said Jacqueline Lane, the executive director of the National Alliance Intervention Training.
Lane said many officers have not had any mental health training and do not know how to deal or handle with individuals in crisis.
“The most they can do is arrest them and put them in jail which is not helping anybody,” Lane said.
Officers first learn basic skills and training including the escalation method which includes trying to talk individuals in distress down rather than taking actions that set them off.
Training of this kind has proven effective in preventing violence or even deaths.
Exercises include conducting tasks while wearing earphones with someone talking to them to imitate individuals hearing voices.
The training is a version of a similar program which started in Taunton 15 years ago by members of the probate court and police department.
Lane said the program was tailored to Cape Cod and the region’s community policing efforts.
“It’s a collaborative effort,” Lane said. “Nobody is alone in this. It takes a community to solve this problem.”
Officers will attend training for three days this week and two more days next week.
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