South Bend crisis-intervention program draws praise, leaders press for better data

At a Health and Public Safety committee meeting, council members praised a crisis-intervention program that trains officers to respond to mental-health and de-escalation calls and urged better data collection to support funding and outreach.

The program’s presenter, identified in the meeting as Cindy (program presenter/CIT officer), described how officers trained in crisis intervention attempt to resolve incidents without force and build rapport with residents. “For me, it is getting someone whatever resources or help that they need, and it being a no contact type incident,” Cindy said.

Councilman Warner said he was “familiar with the program” and thanked Cindy for the team’s work and for partnering with law enforcement. “I thank you, Cindy, for your work, and Oklahoma’s commitment to our community, through the scribe response team,…