A new class of Carroll County Police Officers has graduated from Critical Incident Training (CIT) course. The training is designed to help officers respond to incidents involving individuals with intellectual disabilities, mental illness or substance abuse with de-escalation and other crisis management tools.

The Carroll County Times reports:

The 13 officers spent a week in training learning about how to handle cases involving people with mental illnesses, intellectual disabilities and substance abuse disorders. On Friday, they gathered at The Arc of Carroll County to receive certificates and pins signifying they graduated from the CIT training program.

It was the third year the training has been completed, said Amy Baker, with the Carroll County Health Department.

The training gives officers more tools, as well as new perspective, to help in particular situations, rather than just arrest and hospitalization options, Baker said.

Before CIT training, officers would often take people to the hospital or arrest them, and follow-ups were lacking. Now, officers, deputies and troopers do follow-ups, and hospitalization or arrest is not the only option, Sheriff Jim DeWees said during the graduation.

For more information read The Carroll County Times.