MCSO CIT Improves Mental Health Crisis & Safety

Montgomery County, TX – Constable Philip Cash of Montgomery County Precinct 1 recently highlighted the profound impact of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office’s (MCSO) Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program, crediting it with transforming how law enforcement responds to mental health crises across the county. Cash delivered his remarks at the Montgomery County Association of Business Women (MCABW) monthly luncheon held on September 12th, 2023, at Margaritaville Lake Conroe.

Launched in 2019 under the leadership of Sheriff Rand Henderson, the CIT program was established with a clear objective: to pivot away from defaulting to incarceration for individuals experiencing mental health crises and instead provide them with appropriate care through de-escalation tactics and specialized resources. The initiative recognized the critical need for law enforcement to be equipped with the skills to address complex behavioral health issues more effectively.

Since its inception, the program has provided extensive specialized training to approximately 800 MCSO deputies, jailers, and dispatchers. This comprehensive training equips personnel with skills in identifying mental health symptoms, employing verbal de-escalation techniques, and safely guiding individuals toward professional help. The program’s success is deeply rooted in its collaborative framework, forging crucial partnerships with key organizations such as Tri-County Behavioral Healthcare, local judges, and district attorneys, which ensures a streamlined process for intervention and follow-up care.

Constable Cash underscored the program’s tangible successes with compelling statistics. Since 2019, Montgomery County has seen over 46,000 calls for service related to mental health. Critically, 24,000 of these individuals have been transported to mental health facilities for care, rather than being booked into jail. This equates to approximately 90% of mental health-related calls resulting in mental health assistance, a significant shift from traditional law enforcement responses.

The CIT program has not only benefited individuals in crisis but has also enhanced officer safety and community relations. Data from 2022 reveals a 24% reduction in force incidents and a 28% decrease in deputy injuries compared to 2019, directly attributable to the de-escalation strategies employed by CIT-trained personnel. Furthermore, the program has demonstrably reduced incarceration rates for those grappling with mental health issues, aligning with a national movement to divert such individuals from the criminal justice system.

“Our goal was never to criminalize mental illness, but to provide compassionate, effective help,” Sheriff Rand Henderson has previously stated regarding the program’s philosophy. “The CIT program is fundamentally changing how we respond, making our community safer and healthier by connecting people in crisis with the care they need.”

The program’s innovative approach and remarkable achievements have garnered national recognition. In 2022, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office CIT program was honored with the National Sheriffs’ Association’s Neighborhood Watch Program of the Year award, a testament to its deep community engagement and proactive approach to public safety and well-being.

Looking ahead, Constable Cash also touched on future ambitions to further bolster mental health support in Montgomery County. Among these is the establishment of a dedicated crisis center, envisioned as a 24/7 facility offering immediate assessment, stabilization, and linkage to long-term care. Such a center would further reduce the burden on emergency rooms and jails, providing a more appropriate and accessible first point of contact for mental health emergencies.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office CIT program stands as a leading example of how law enforcement can adapt and innovate to meet the complex mental health needs of its community, ensuring care, safety, and justice for all residents.