Mental Health_Excited Delirium Trainer

Mental Health/Excited Delirium Crisis Techniques - Train the Trainer

Training Goals and Objectives

The goal of the training program is to “Train the Trainer” and prepare the sworn law enforcement officer, mental health officer, emergency medical responder, social worker, and hospital personnel to understand and identify the behavior, techniques, and proper/lawful procedures in handling persons in mental health crisis. This training will train personnel in the proper and accurate instruction of these topics. The training will also provide techniques in communication to de-escalate persons involved in difficult and dangerous situations. Law enforcement officers must learn to deal safely and effectively with people in a state of excited delirium and mental health crisis. This course will give you the tools to save yourself, protect the suspect, and save your department from the liability associated with dealing with individuals and will provide instruction and all the information needed to conduct this training yourself.

The goal of the training program is to prepare the sworn law enforcement in the following:

Identify types of Mental Illness
Proper and effective communication techniques for those in crisis
Instruction regarding state laws pertaining to Mental Health
Instruction on Warrantless Emergency Apprehensions
Learn guidelines and winning tactics for contact with people in a state of excited delirium or mental health crisis
Recognition of the symptoms of excited delirium
Understand implications of the Taser and its use on people in such a state
Familiarize with the “Suicide-by-Cop” phenomenon and its implications for law enforcement officers
Properly document (report writing) encounters
Learn techniques for dealing with a subject in a heightened state of arousal who often possesses “super-human” strength
Properly use the hobble restraint, an alternative to the dangerous “hog-tie” method.
Location of resources regarding transportation to the appropriate facilities

Training Audience, Format, and Content

This course is intended for various levels of experienced sworn law enforcement officers and related personnel. The intent of the trainers is to provide necessary and detailed instruction to enable the participants to accurately and successfully instruct the curriculum themselves.

This course is most successful when taught and received with audiences of 30 officers or fewer. Smaller groups enable officers to have more direct dialog with the instructor and other students, particularly during the practical evaluation (hands-on) process. Numerous police videos will be shown as an aid to the student in recognizing people in state of excited delirium or cocaine psychosis. The course is designed as a four-day course, to be conducted from 0800 to 1600 hours daily.

Daily content and course schedule/agenda:

Day One:

Characteristics of Mental Illness
Multiple diagnosis
Basic facts about Mental Illness and Mental Retardation – distinguishing between each
Psychotropic Medications and side effects
Dynamics of behavior
Psychosis facts and symptoms
Family and witness feelings and crisis in dealing

Day Two:

Methods in handling the acute Mentally Ill person
Active listening and verbal communication techniques
State Laws for emergency detentions
Warrant less apprehensions
Non-verbal communication identification and techniques
Assessment of danger and levels
Interventions in high and low risk situations

Day Three:

Introduction to Excited Delirium
Recognition of symptoms of excited delirium and cocaine psychosis
Winning tactics for contact with people in a state of excited delirium (officer safety)
The “Suicide-by-Cop” phenomenon and its implications for police officers
Documentation (report writing) on encounters with people in a state of excited delirium

Day Four:

In-Custody Death Syndrome; The Taser and in-custody deaths
Tactics for dealing with a subject who exhibits “super-human” strength
Use of the hobble restraint, an alternative to the dangerous “hog-tie” method
Practical application of take-down techniques and proper use of the hobble restraint system

Pre–requisites to this course:

Law Enforcement Instructor - recommended

Mental Health officer certification- recommended

Tactical/Use of Force officer - recommended

Evaluation

The evaluation process will consist of class participation, active involvement in case reviews and participation in visual recognition exam.

Limitations / Special Needs: None

Any audio/visual or POSTC/Academy facility or staff needs will be addressed on a case-by-case basis, but might include the use of an electronic projection unit, VCR, audio or marker board materials.

Student Materials: None

Student materials will involve copies of the training manual Mental Health/Excited Delirium Crisis Techniques - Train the Trainer. A wide range of digital video and PowerPoint presentations will be used in the training session, and the instructor will come prepared with everything he will need to make this an informative, fast-paced learning experience.