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CRISIS RESPONSE
AND INTERVENTION TRAINING (CRIT)
TOOLKIT

Coordinating CRIT Delivery

Law enforcement agencies should designate a local coordinator to lead the planning and implementation of this training. The coordinator will serve as the central point of contact for all planning activities, including instructor recruitment, site visits, guest speaker coordination, scenario planning, and other training logistics.

Instructor Guide


The Instructor Guide provides resources for local coordinators in the planning and delivery of CRIT. This Guide includes the following sections: 

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  • The Introduction provides information on the purpose of CRIT and course development. It also lists the modules and their learning objectives.

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  • Using the Instructor Guide provides an overview of the content of the Instructor Guide and guidance on how to prepare for training delivery and includes a list of all videos used in the curriculum. 

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  • Getting Ready provides coordinators with detailed guidelines and tools for planning and delivering CRIT. Specifically, it outlines key roles and tasks to complete before the training and includes a Course Preparation Phase Checklist and a Training Set Up and Wrap-Up Checklist. 

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  • Trainer Materials and Resources: In this section, instructors will find copies of the materials necessary to deliver the training, including handouts, activity instructions, and additional resources.

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  • Participant Materials: In this section, instructors will find the standard items used as participant materials, including the CRIT matrix, agenda, module learning objectives, evaluation materials, and a sample certificate of completion. 

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  • Modules: This section includes the Trainer’s Guides for each of the 18 training modules. 

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  • References and Resources: In this section, instructors will find the reference list, which contains the sources cited throughout the Instructor Guide, and additional resources listed by module.

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Coordinating CRIT Delivery

Trainer Materials

This section provides resources for local trainers to support the delivery of the Crisis Response and Intervention Training (CRIT). 
 

Local Trainer Materials


To prepare local trainers to teach their assigned module(s), it is recommended to provide them with the following resources:

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  • Instructor Guide (Specifically, local trainers should be provided the sections listed below:)

Section 1. Introduction

Section 2. Using the Instructor Guide

Section 4. Trainer Materials & Resources

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  • CRIT Matrix

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  • Module PowerPoint Slides 

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  • CRIT Agenda

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Additional trainer materials include: 

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  • Activity materials

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  • 5, 10, and 15 Minute Increment Cards

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Trainer Materials
CRIT Modules

Participant Materials

This section provides materials for the Crisis Response and Intervention Training (CRIT) participants and lists what materials should be included in the Participant Guide. 


The Participant Guide should include the following materials in a folder or binder:

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  • CRIT Matrix

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  • CRIT Agenda​

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  • Module Learning Objectives

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  • Module PowerPoint Slides​

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Additional participant materials include:

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  • Pre- and post- training surveys

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  • Knowledge Questionnaire 

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  • Sample Certificate of Completion 

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  • CRIT Training Binder - Participant Version

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  • Handout: SAMHSA's Principles of Recovery

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  • Handout: Police-Mental Health Collaboration (PMHC) Toolkit - Essential Elements

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Supplemental Materials

CRIT Toolkit Videos

This section provides videos developed by the Academic Training Initiative to help guide and instruct the implementation of the CRIT curriculum across a variety of jurisdictions.

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Crisis Response and Intervention Training (CRIT): Welcome and Introduction to CRIT

This video is a “live delivery” of the first CRIT Module – Welcome and Introduction to CRIT by a national trainer.

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Crisis Response and Intervention Training: An Overview for Law Enforcment Executives

This video provides an overview of the CRIT curriculum, including the goals of the training and a brief history of its development.

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Crisis Response and Intervention Training: Selecting Instructors to Ensure Effective Training Delivery

This video provides specific recommendations related to the selection of trainers for each training module.

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Crisis Response and Intervention Training: Planning, Delivering, and Debriefing the Family and Peer Perspectives Panel

This video provides guidance on planning for the Family and Peer Perspectives Panel, including how to identify and collaborate with local organizations and advocacy groups, prepare panel speakers, and moderate and debrief the panel.

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Crisis Response and Intervention Training: Preparing Role-players for De-escalation Scenarios

​This video provides information about how to identify and prepare role-players for de-escalation scenarios.

Supplemental Materials

Supplemental Materials

This section provides additional resources developed as part of the CRIT Toolkit to support agencies in the planning and delivery of the CRIT curriculum. 


Expanded CRIT Content

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In addition to the content created for the 40-hour CRIT curriculum, supplemental modules were developed to provide extra instruction on key topic areas. Agencies can use these modules to support stand-alone, refresher training courses for their officers or incorporate the additional content into the 40-hour curriculum. The Academic Training Initiative is developing additional modules with expanded CRIT content that will be available in the coming months. 

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Psychotic Disorders

This module provides additional instruction on psychotic disorders. It builds upon the information presented within CRIT Module 4. Understanding Mental Health Conditions & Mental Illnesses. Participants will be introduced to information on psychosis, the signs and symptoms of psychotic disorders, and considerations for law enforcement when responding to a person who appears to be experiencing psychosis.

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Personality Disorders

This module provides additional instruction on personality disorders. Participants will be introduced to information on personality disorders, the signs and symptoms of personality disorders, and considerations for law enforcement when responding to a person living with a personality disorder.

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Extended Legal and Policy Topics

This module provides additional instruction on various federal and state laws and agency policies and procedures on disability rights. It builds upon the information presented within CRIT Module 12. Legal and Policy Topics.

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Mental Illnesses in Children and Adolescents

This module provides additional instruction on mental illnesses that present in children and adolescents. It builds upon the information presented within CRIT Module 4. Understanding Mental Health Conditions & Mental Illnesses. Participants will be introduced to information relevant to children and adolescents experiencing mental health crises.

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Crisis Response and Intervention Training (CRIT): Tips for Trainers

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This document integrates adult learning theory to provide trainers with practical tips for training law enforcement and includes specific examples from the CRIT curriculum.

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This project was supported by Grant No. 2020-NT-BX-K001 awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and the SMART Office. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official positions or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

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