Woodland Park Police Department holds Crisis Intervention Training

WOODLAND PARK, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Woodland Park Police Department holds a Crisis Intervention Training class this week, October 5th through the 9th at the Ute Pass Cultural Center in Woodland Park.

The training for law enforcement includes training involved scenarios and classroom discussions. It also involves actors that simulate real-life scenarios that law enforcement and other first responders deal with.

The class also focuses on mental health training for officers as well.

The 40-hour curriculum essentially helps law enforcement officers and public safety professionals effectively respond to crisis calls, particularly when behavioral problems are involved. The classes are designed to increase both officer and citizen safety, minimize the use of force and unnecessary arrests, and promote diversion from jail to community-based mental health treatment when appropriate.

Participants develop ability to recognize and understand crisis states, mental illness, substance use disorders, while also learning to deescalate crises using advanced verbal communication skills.

Within the classes, there is extensive use of highly realistic and emotionally intense role-play scenarios using professional actors to portray people in crisis.