- The program partners a Houston Crisis Intervention
Team (CIT) officer with a licensed mental health
professional from the Mental Health Mental Retardation
Authority (MHMRA) of Harris County.
- The team responds to the most serious CIT calls,
field officers' requests for assistance with persons in
mental health crisis, all SWAT and hostage negotiation
calls, and conducts proactive and follow-up
investigations on individuals who repeatedly require
police intervention in an attempt to keep these
individuals from continuing calling for police
assistance and going into crisis.
- CIRT was a pilot program from May 5 through November
5, 2008. Evaluations of the pilot program were 100%
favorable. The program was officially approved Dec.23,
2008 by Chief of Police Harold L. Hurtt. It became
effective on a full-time basis Feb.1, 2009.
- Two CIRT units are available citywide 24/7.
- There are plans to collaborate with the Harris
County Sheriff's Office and expand CIRT into all of
Harris County.
Officer Eric Chimney and partner |
