The Lancaster County Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) is a group of specially trained police officers and first responders who are called in on situations involving an individual in a mental health crisis.  The purpose is to get individuals with a mental illness into treatment, rather than just getting them involved with the criminal justice system. 

CIT officers have knowledge of what mental illness is, how to de-escalate a situation, and where to refer the person.  CIT is a national program, started in Memphis, TN, over 20 years ago.  Findings show that CIT programs reduce the amount of injury to officer and individual with mental illness, decreased the number of arrests, increase the amount of mental health treatment, and provide a better working relationship between law enforcement, mental health agencies, individuals with mental illness and their families/advocates. 

For more information, view our website at: www.co.lancaster.pa.us/cit