The Swatara Township Police Department has initiated training sessions in three major areas to include crisis intervention, a law enforcement treatment initiative and less lethal defensive tactics.  Officers have already been receiving crisis intervention and mental illness training for years, however the new Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training curriculum will help build upon that knowledge and better prepare our officers for handling certain situations involving those in crisis. Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training is part of the early steps in the Sequential Intercept Model, where first responders are often the first contact with people in crisis.  Police Officers are also being trained on how to deescalate situations and divert individuals to treatment whenever necessary and appropriate.  CIT training is known to be evidence-based and the 40-hour basic training course provides an array of tools and resources to law enforcement officers to help increase their knowledge and understanding when interacting with a person in crisis.  They also learn about the resources available and how to collaborate with human service entities. CIT training is known to help improve officers’ knowledge and understanding of mental health and help them become more comfortable interacting with a person in crisis. 

Recently, Dauphin County has launched the Law Enforcement Treatment Initiative campaign, which is designed to assist individuals with substance abuse problems find help through Dauphin County's Drug and Alcohol Services.  This training is designed to bridge the gap between these services and someone with an abuse problem by having police officers introduce individuals to treatment services that are available to them.

The Swatara Township Police Department has also initiated a new less lethal defensive tactics curriculum called Gracie Survival Tactics or GST.  The GST program has its roots in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  This type of training prepares officers for situations where there is the potential for use of force.  There are many options of use of force available to an officer that fall into the less lethal category.  These include but are not limited to the use of a baton, taser, OC spray, pressure points and escort maneuvers.  The GST curriculum focuses more on survival tactics should an individual become aggressive toward an officer.  With more less lethal options available, such as a hand to hand tactical maneuver, officers will be less likely to resort to a higher level of force when lower levels would be effective in controlling the subject.  The GST training will provide additional options for our officers during aggressive encounters and will make the situation safer for both the subject and the officer.

The Swatara Township Police Department is dedicated to serving members of the community in the most effective and safe way possible.  By providing continuing education to our officers and equipping them with the knowledge that is necessary for them to deescalate and resolve volatile situations safely, we can better serve the members of our community.