Seeking a modern approach to community wellness and policing, the Muscogee Nation has developed a first-ever Tribal Crisis Intervention Team Training. The course is a critical component in improving the Lighthorse Police Department’s response to mental health crises. The knowledge and skills these participants will learn provides critical insight into the recognition of, communication methods with, and coordination of resources for persons experiencing a mental health crisis.
This training will equip officers to have more positive interactions with the community and also will enhance their own coping skills. “We see crisis incidents in our community everyday as law enforcement,” Lighthorse Police Chief Richard Phillips said. “I am beyond ecstatic to see our agency efforts become fruitful. We will make sure to continue improving our response, and I’m sure it will have a huge impact over time. I want to express my gratitude to all involved and for everyone’s participation, making this course the first one among Tribal Nations.”
In keeping with the Muscogee Nation’s holistic approach to public safety, policing and community wellness, the service benefits will be threefold: to reduce unnecessary incarceration of persons experiencing crisis, consider care of the individual, and improve community safety by increasing access to mental health services for persons in need.
Last year in the state of Oklahoma, roughly 3% of all CIT trained officers were from Tribal law enforcement agencies. This statistic highlighted a disparity between Tribal and Non-Tribal agencies and prompted the Muscogee Creek Nation Lighthorse Police Department to seek a solution and an evolution in response.
MCN Forensic Officer Dr. Crystal Hernandez led the effort which included Lighthorse Police officers Stephen Currans, Jason Bleeker and Samantha Laughlin, and Tyler Stone from MCN Behavioral Health. The group worked tirelessly to adopt a standardized national model into one that was suitable for Tribal Nations, Tribal issues, and modern policing dynamics faced by Tribal law enforcement officers. The model passed the rigorous approval process of the State and has formal CLEET approval in partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health.
“We are beyond excited to deliver this historic and critical service to our very own law enforcement community, which will no doubt continue to improve our community policing relationship and enhance the opportunities for our citizens to have mental wellness and a thriving future,” Dr. Hernandez said. “CIT will be delivered via a mixed presenter format, with our Lighthorse Policy Department, Attorney General’s Office, forensic mental health, peers and family member panels.”
The initial training is slated for the week of Sept. 23, for tribal officers. Following this initial session, the goal is to open this up for intertribal officers so that we have a significant impact throughout Indian Country.
