Ernie Stevens shares his journey into crisis intervention training and the impact it had on his career as a police officer. He discusses the lack of mental health training in the academy and the challenges he faced in responding to mental health crises. Ernie recounts a powerful encounter with a woman whose son had schizophrenia, which changed his perspective and motivated him to make a difference. The conversation also touches on the importance of crisis intervention training for law enforcement officers and the need for a shift in mindset from a use of force approach to one focused on de-escalation and empathy. The conversation focuses on the importance of empathy and understanding in law enforcement when dealing with mental health crises. It highlights the need for officers to go beyond just doing their job and instead focus on supporting individuals in crisis. The conversation also emphasizes the role of crisis intervention training (CIT) in redefining safety as the presence of well-being and building a culture of wellness within law enforcement. It discusses the collaboration between law enforcement and mental health authorities, the importance of active listening, and the challenges and successes in implementing mental health programs.

EMTALA https://www.cms.gov/medicare/provider-enrollment-and-certification/certificationandcomplianc/downloads/emtala.pdf