Crisis Intervention for Law Enforcement

The Certificate of Achievement in Crisis Intervention for Law Enforcement provides advanced training for peace officers in the recognition and response to individuals experiencing mental illness, developmental disabilities, trauma, or crisis situations. Building upon the POST-certified Basic Police Academy, the program equips officers with specialized knowledge and skills in mental health awareness, de-escalation, cultural competence, and interagency collaboration.

The program supports workforce preparation by aligning with California POST training standards and addresses increasing public and agency demand for effective crisis intervention strategies. Graduates will be prepared to respond to complex situations in ways that enhance officer safety, reduce liability, and build community trust

Student Learning Outcomes:

Graduates of the program will be able to:

1. Apply crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques in varied law enforcement contexts.
2. Recognize behavioral, psychological, and developmental indicators of mental illness and apply appropriate intervention strategies.
3. Integrate legal standards and ethical considerations into crisis response decision-making.
4. Demonstrate effective communication with individuals in crisis, including those with disabilities or cultural/linguistic differences.
5. Collaborate with community partners and mental health service providers to achieve positive outcomes.

The Certificate of Achievement in Crisis Intervention for Law Enforcement is awarded to students who successfully complete the following courses:

 CJA 099A – Basic Police Academy (30.0 units)

 CJA 042A – Crisis Intervention Training I (0.5 units)

 CJA 042B – Crisis Intervention Training II (0.3 units)

 CJA 042C – Crisis Intervention Training III (0.5 units)

 CJA 042E – Crisis Intervention Training IV (2.0 units) (new course to be developed).

Total Units Required: 33.3 units

The projected annual completers for this program is 140.

The Certificate of Achievement in Crisis Intervention for Law Enforcement is designed to provide specialized, advanced training for peace officers in crisis intervention strategies. The goal is to enhance officer safety, improve community relations, and promote effective de-escalation techniques when interacting with individuals experiencing mental illness, developmental disabilities, trauma, or crisis situations.

This program supports workforce preparation by aligning with the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) requirements and meets the needs of law enforcement agencies seeking to expand officer training in mental health response. The program also advances civic education and lifelong learning by preparing officers to engage in community-oriented policing with greater empathy, cultural competence, and problem-solving ability.

Certificate of Achievement in Crisis Intervention for Law Enforcement

The Certificate of Achievement in Crisis Intervention for Law Enforcement requires successful completion of 33.3 units, structured to reflect progressive skill development aligned with California POST standards. The sequence ensures students acquire foundational law enforcement preparation through the Basic Police Academy and then advance through specialized crisis intervention modules.

Core Requirements

• CJA 099A – Basic Police Academy (30.0 units)
  Provides foundational training required of all peace officers, covering law enforcement principles, criminal law, patrol procedures, and community policing. Completion of this course is required prior to enrollment in advanced crisis intervention coursework.
• CJA 042A – Crisis Intervention Training I (0.5 units)
  Introduces fundamental crisis intervention principles, with an emphasis on recognizing behavioral health challenges and employing initial de-escalation techniques.
• CJA 042B – Crisis Intervention Training II (0.3 units)
  Builds upon CIT I by focusing on communication strategies, legal considerations, and ethical frameworks for responding to individuals experiencing mental health crises.
• CJA 042C – Crisis Intervention Training III (0.5 units)
  Expands student competency by addressing special populations, including individuals with developmental disabilities, trauma survivors, and culturally diverse groups.
• CJA 042E – Crisis Intervention Training IV (2.0 units) (new course in development)
  Serves as a capstone experience synthesizing all prior coursework. Students demonstrate advanced application of de-escalation strategies, interagency collaboration, and case-based decision-making.

Total Required Units: 33.3

Sequencing

• Year 1: Students begin with CJA 099A – Basic Police Academy (Fall/Spring).
• Post-Academy Sequence: Courses 042A, 042B, and 042C must be completed in order.
• Capstone: 042E – Crisis Intervention Training IV is taken last to integrate learning across all modules.

Program Outcomes

The structured sequencing ensures that students:

• Acquire a solid foundation in law enforcement practices.
• Progressively develop expertise in recognizing and responding to crisis situations.
• Culminate their training with applied, scenario-based practice that emphasizes officer safety, community trust, and effective interagency collaboration.

This progression directly supports workforce preparation by aligning with POST requirements and meeting the demonstrated need for specialized crisis intervention skills in modern policing.

Currently, no community college in the Orange County region offers a Certificate of Achievement specifically in Crisis Intervention for Law Enforcement. While general Administration of Justice programs may include coursework on mental health, this program is unique in its comprehensive, POST-aligned, multi-course sequence developed in partnership with local law enforcement and mental health agencies.

None.

Santa Ana College currently offers five sections of CJA 099A (Basic Police Academy) each year, enrolling an average of 50+ students per section (approximately 250 students annually). Following consultation with instructors from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, it is anticipated that CJA 042E (Crisis Intervention Training IV) will be delivered four times per year, with an average enrollment of 30–35 students per section. This yields an estimated annual enrollment of approximately 140 students who will complete the crisis intervention course sequence.

These students represent non-duplicative enrollments, as this certificate is a new program not currently offered in the region. The projection is grounded in both existing Academy throughput and agency commitment to deliver the advanced crisis intervention curriculum as part of professional preparation.