Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) & Lend a Hand Program

THE PLEDGE

The Town of Manlius Police Department is committed to the One Mind Pledge put forth by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). The One Mind Campaign seeks to ensure successful interactions between law enforcement and persons with mental health conditions and intellectual or developmental disabilities. Participation in this voluntary initiative aims to foster a strong alliance between law enforcement and mental health service partners to improve the welfare of vulnerable individuals and improve public and officer safety.

The pledge consists of three primary parameters:

Establishment of a clearly defined and sustainable partnership with one or more community mental health organizations.
Development and implementation of a written policy addressing police response to individuals with mental health conditions
Train and certify 100% of sworn officers in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and a minimum of 20% of sworn officers in Crisis Intervention Team (CIT).

The Town of Manlius Police Department has exceeded the above parameters and is committed to continuing to meet those standards.

DE-ESCALATION

It is the policy of the Town of Manlius Police Department to deal with all persons with understanding of and attention to the problems of persons in crisis. Such individuals may require crisis intervention from officers, collaboration with mental health professionals, and follow up referrals to community resources. Sworn personnel trained as members of the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) respond to calls for service involving persons in crisis whenever possible. Officers use their best judgment based on training, experience, and discretion when dealing with persons in crisis, in any environment, to avoid the potential for miscommunication or use of force. Whenever possible, absent an immediate threat, officers attempt de-escalation using strategies intended to reduce the intensity of a conflict or crisis encountered by the police, with the intent of gaining compliance without the application of force, or if force is necessary, reducing the amount of force required.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

In collaboration with community stakeholders and mental health professionals the department has developed professional relationships with numerous resources in Central New York to aid and support the community’s mental health needs.

Those partners include, but are not limited to:

211 CNY: Dial 2-1-1
Liberty Resources Mobile Crisis: (315) 251-0800
St. Joseph’s CPEP Mobile Outreach: (315) 569-4129
Access CNY: (315) 455-7591
Helio Health: (315) 471-1564

LEND-A-HAND VOLUNTARY PROGRAM

In addition to training, de-escalation, and collaboration with mental health professionals, the Town of Manlius Police Department is committed to assisting those in our community to the best of our ability. With that in mind, the department has developed the Lend-A-Hand program.

This is a program offered by the department to resolve the safe return home, and to continue positive encounters with, individuals who may not be able to advocate for themselves to law enforcement or other first responders.

This program is completely voluntary, and you may choose which parts of the form you wish to fill out. When completing a form, please remember that the more detailed information you provide will further inform the service our officers or other first responders provide concerning how to aid and encourage the individual.

Please review the entirety of the form before completing, signing, and submitting it. The information provided on the form will be entered into the Town of Manlius Police Department’s records system and may be shared with other first responders to better approach and care for you or the individual.

The Town of Manlius Police Department respects you and your right to confidentiality and all information provided will remain confidential. Should you request the information removed, we will purge your information from our system.

If you are interested in completing a Lend-A-Hand form for yourself, or on behalf of another, you may click below to download the form, complete it, and e-mail it back to csu@manliuspolice.org.

If you need assistance completing the form, please contact the department at (315) 682-2212 and request to speak with a member of the Community Support Unit (CSU) who would be happy to assist.

MORE INFORMATION

Lend-A-Hand Form & Brochure:

Lend A Hand Brochure

Lend A Hand Form - Fillable

Lend A Hand Form - Printable/Handwritten

Please follow any of the above or following links for additional information:

One Mind Pledge

International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)

Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)