Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)

The Durham Police Department Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) is an essential component of the agency’s community outreach and engagement efforts.  CIT officers and a clinician follow up on referrals from officers, and the community, to connect and/or reconnect individuals experiencing crisis with appropriate services.

A unit of the Community Services Division, the goals of DPD’s CIT efforts are to:

  • Reduce arrests for non-violent offenders with mental health and/or substance use concerns.
  • Reduce repeat calls for service.
  • Increase number of individuals engaged in  behavioral health treatment.
  • Increase amount of first responders trained in de-escalation and behavioral health identification.
  • Improve collaboration between behavioral health and all local law enforcement agencies.
  • Reduce use of force injuries to officers and citizen.
  • Respond to live crisis calls
  • Provide involuntary commitment
  • In accordance to senate bill 630

Crisis Intervention Team Training

Sponsored by the Durham Chapter of the National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI), and coordinated by Durham’s CIT collaborative, training teaches recognition of mental health signs and symptoms and de-escalation skills. The study covers homelessness, substance abuse and working with special populations (e.g., veterans, individuals with developmental disabilities, etc.,).

Beyond the mental health education training provided to recruits in the police academy, an intensive 40-hr. curriculum is an additional tool for Durham officers as well as other Durham first responders.

Currently Durham CIT offers six week-long sessions annually. Four are sponsored by NAMI and two are sponsored by the DPD's Training Division. Since the program’s start in 2007, more than 1,100 law enforcement officers, detention officers and other first responders have been trained  in CIT responses and best practices.

Community Resources

CIT connects individuals with behavioral health and substance use issues to community-based, least-restrictive treatment options, wherever possible, instead of incarceration.

Alliance Health

Alliance Health is the managed care organization, or MCO, for public behavioral healthcare for multiple area municipalities. Alliance does not directly provide services, but works to ensure that  individuals seeking help receive quality services which they are eligible. Access to diverse network of over 2,000 private behavioral healthcare providers. Call (800) 510-9132  to receive confidential support 24-hours a day. Located at 414 5200 W Paramount Pkwy Suite 200, Morrisville, NC 27560.  https://www.alliancehealthplan.org/

Veterans Crisis Line

Veterans or family members can call 1(800) 273-8255 and press 1. To receive confidential support 24 hours a day persons can send a text message to 838255.

Durham Network of Care

An online resource for individuals, families and agencies that provides critical information, communication and advocacy tools with a single point of entry.       www.durhamnetworkofcare.org

Durham Recovery Response Center

Formerly known as Durham Center Access, DRRC is the gateway   to all local mental health, developmental disability and substance abuse services. Located at 309 Crutchfield Street.  Call (919) 560-7305. Open 24/7, 365 days. www.riinternational.com

Project BUILD

A multi-disciplinary gang prevention and intervention program that provides coordinated case management and services to youth and young adults ages 10 to 21.                               www.projectbuild.org

24-Hr. Mobile Crisis Helpline         (919) 967-8844

Alliance 24-Hr. Crisis Line             (919) 510-9132

Carolina Outreach

2670 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. Durham, North Carolina 27707. Call (919)251-9001. https://carolinaoutreach.com/