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Exclusive interview with crisis training expert

Posted at 4:20 PM, Oct 01, 2015
and last updated 2015-10-01 16:20:26-04

A nationally recognized crisis intervention training expert will play a key role as part of the independent monitor team selected to oversee reform within the Cleveland police department.

In an exclusive interview, Dr. Dupont stressed the crisis intervention training relies on more than just police.

"This is a community-wide issue," said Dupont, " It's also about mental health providers, city government, advocates, those who have mental illness and family members."

In addition, Dupont stressed the key role that police dispatchers play in successful crisis intervention programs.

"Is the person on medication, are their behaviors unusual--we look for that protocol to be what 911 operators are looking for to be able to identify where crisis intervention team officers are and how they can be utilized."

Dr. Randolph Dupont launched  the nation's first training program dealing with police and the mentally ill at the University of Memphis in 1988.

Widely known as the "Memphis Model", the program provides the foundation to promote community solutions to assist individuals with mental illness. The Memphis Model accomplishes this by creating partnerships with law enforcement, mental health agencies and others while improving training for police in how to deal with mental health consumers.

Dr. Dupont is among various experts the Police Assessment Resource Center or PARC  will rely on as the newly appointed independent monitor for police reform in Cleveland.

Just last week, Cleveland announced major reforms that reflect the goals that Dupont will be looking for as the independent monitor begins to review major reforms within the department.

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