In a continued effort to enhance its response to mental health crises, the Cleveland Police Department is set to increase specialized training for officers in 2025. This initiative, part of a broader police reform agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, aims to improve law enforcement’s handling of mental health-related calls.
The Mental Health Response Advisory Committee (MHRAC), which was established as part of the city’s consent decree, met earlier this month to outline its objectives for the year ahead. The committee’s work is focused on advancing Cleveland’s crisis intervention strategies, particularly for those experiencing mental health emergencies.
A key element of Cleveland’s ongoing reform efforts is the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program. CIT is a national initiative that fosters collaboration between law enforcement, mental health agencies, and advocacy groups to improve police responses to mental health crises. The program’s primary goal is to divert individuals in crisis from the criminal justice system, providing them with the necessary care and support instead of arrest.
Ruth Simera, executive director of the Northeast Ohio Medical University’s Criminal Justice Coordinating Center of Excellence, emphasized the importance of this approach. She explained that CIT training helps officers handle situations involving mental health issues more effectively, reducing the risk of escalation and promoting de-escalation techniques.
Cleveland’s police department has already trained 147 officers in CIT, with 114 currently on patrol. The department has scheduled three more training sessions for the remainder of the year, with support from the Cuyahoga County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board. Specialized crisis intervention training has become an essential part of police operations in the city, particularly for officers responding to calls involving mental health crises.
Focus on Youth Mental Health Crises
As part of its ongoing efforts, MHRAC has formed a subcommittee dedicated to addressing youth mental health. In recent months, there has been a notable increase in CIT calls involving young people. Officers have reported engaging with more youth experiencing mental health crises, prompting the subcommittee to focus on improving responses in this area.
Bree Easterling, a long-time advocate for non-police crisis interventions, emphasized the need for better data collection on youth mental health crises in the coming year. The subcommittee plans to gather more comprehensive data to understand the specific needs of youth in these situations.
MHRAC Surveys and Community Engagement Challenges
MHRAC also reviewed the results of its end-of-year survey, which was completed by 16 members. On a scale of one to 10, the committee members rated their overall satisfaction at 6.6. While most members attended the majority of committee meetings in 2024, some expressed concerns about engagement levels, particularly within the Community Engagement Subcommittee.
Angela Cecys, a public health and safety strategist for Cleveland and MHRAC committee member, noted that the subcommittee has faced challenges in meeting attendance and a lack of funding for essential community outreach efforts. Many respondents highlighted the need for greater focus and follow-through on community engagement initiatives.
To address these concerns, Cecys proposed collaborating with the Cleveland Community Police Commission in 2025 to improve community outreach and increase participation in subcommittee meetings.
As Cleveland continues to prioritize mental health training and response strategies, the city remains committed to fostering a more compassionate and effective approach to mental health crises.
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