Hamilton police crisis intervention training program revamps curriculum for its 50th class

Hamilton police, community members and officers from surrounding police stations spent the week learning about new ways to support people experiencing a crisis.

This session of crisis intervention training was the 50th of its kind in Hamilton, but the latest cohort was introduced to a new curriculum developed by Wilfrid Laurier University.

The program – dubbed the Mental Health Crisis Response Education and Applied Training Program (MHCR) – was created with the help of people who have experienced a mental health crisis.

Clinicians, nurses, forensic psychologists and Indigenous experts also contributed to its development.

As of April 1, 2024, the MHCR is mandatory for all police officers in Ontario and must be renewed annually. The class is offered over the course of a week, and takes 40 hours to complete.

The program aims to train officers and community members on how to de-escalate crisis situations and more effectively support someone suffering from mental illness or situational distress.

“Its probably one of our number one calls – dealing with people in crisis,” Sergeant Scott Woods told CHCH News.

“There are about 15,000 person in crisis calls per year, so it’s quite predominant. The goal is to divert from the hospital and be able to support these people while they’re still living and staying in the community.”

Participants also learned about community support programs that are available to help with mental health and crisis intervention, such as the Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COAST) in Hamilton.

“In terms of crisis, it’s not just people who have mental health issues,” said Sarah Burtenshaw, a mental health worker with COAST.

“Every day when people call 9-1-1 they’re often in crisis, and these skills are very helpful for the officers when they experience that.”

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