First Draft 5/20/2026
The Issue:
The Consumer Council System of Maine (CCSM) has received peer concerns regarding law enforcement response to crisis intervention. The Council recognizes that the effectiveness and compliance with Crisis Intervention Training in law enforcement officers has been identified as a concern and possible remediation. We will reference several concerns, and we acknowledge that some of these are specific to OBH and some are not. We will attempt to be clear with what belongs to OBH and hope we can partner with other entities to address additional concerns.
Based on consumer concern and the current framework:
- The 20% training requirement may not ensure consistent availability of trained officers across all shifts and locations
- The difference in training duration and depth between MHFA (8 hours) and CIT (40 hours) represents a significant variation within a single compliance standard
- Some long-serving officers may not have participated in specialized mental health training, relying primarily on academy instruction and minimum annual in-service training
- Expanding training participation may involve operational and staffing considerations, including coverage and scheduling constraints
- Current statewide reporting does not provide detailed data on training type distribution, workforce-wide training levels, or specific geographic breakdown of training by law enforcement department
Recommendations:
1. Increase the Minimum Training Threshold (Phased Approach)
Consider gradually increasing the percentage of officers required to complete specialized mental health training above the current 20% standard. We recommend a goal of 40% of officers CIT trained by 2030.
A phased structure may allow agencies to expand participation while managing staffing and scheduling impacts.
2. Establish a Tiered Training Model
Consider distinguishing between levels of training, such as:
- Baseline training for all officers
- Intermediate training (e.g., MHFA)
- Advanced training (e.g., CIT)
3. Improve Shift-Level Coverage
Consider aligning training expectations with operational availability, including:
- Coverage across shifts
- Distribution of trained officers
- Geographic access to trained personnel
4. Expand Ongoing Training Expectations
Consider strengthening expectations for continued training over time, including:
- Refresher training
- Opportunities for advanced training participation
- Integration into career development
5. Support Agency Implementation Capacity
Consider supports that may assist agencies in expanding training participation, such as:
- Funding or resource assistance
- Training coordination and scheduling support
- Regional training availability
6. Improve Data Collection and Reporting
Consider expanding statewide data collection to include:
- CIT vs. MHFA participation
- Agency-level training distribution
- Trends in training over time
Expected Outcomes:
- Fewer fatal and critical incidents and traumatic interactions related to mental health crisis when police intervention occurs.
- Improved officer confidence during mental health calls that result in more positive outcomes for both officers and individuals in crisis.
- Increased public faith in the efficacy of police behavioral health interventions.
- Higher positive initial engagement with existing crisis resources and willingness to seek these resources.
To submit feedback, ideas, or a personal story relating to this issue statement, please send it to the CCSM office either by mail at:
Kerri Pitts
CCSM
219 Capitol St. STE 7, Augusta, ME 04330
or email at: kpitts@maineccsm.org
DEADLINE TO RESPOND: June 8, 2026
