Mental Health Crisis
What does CIT stand for?
What is Crisis Intervention Team?
What is the first priority when arriving at a hostage scene?
What is establish a perimeter and contain the situation?
What is the national suicide prevention hotline number?
What is 988?
A hate crime is motivated by what?
What is bias against a protected characteristic (race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, etc.)?
In Texas, what must officers do if probable cause exists in a family violence call?
What is make an arrest?
The Texas Crime Victims' Bill of Rights provides victims with what basic right regarding court proceedings?
What is the right to be informed and present?
True or False: You should argue with someone experiencing delusions.
What is False?
Who typically handles negotiations in a hostage situation?
Who are trained crisis negotiators?
True or False: Asking someone if they are suicidal will plant the idea in their head.
What is False?
What Texas law addresses hate crimes?
What is the James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act?
What is a protective order?
What is a court order prohibiting contact or requiring specific actions to protect a victim?
What is a victim impact statement?
What is a statement describing how the crime affected the victim (physically, emotionally, financially)?
Name two warning signs of a mental health crisis.
What are confusion/disorientation, extreme mood swings, threatening self-harm, bizarre behavior (accept any two)?
What does "Stockholm Syndrome" refer to?
What is when hostages develop sympathy or positive feelings toward their captors?
Name three warning signs that someone may be suicidal.
What are talking about being a burden, giving away possessions, withdrawing from friends/family, talking about death, dramatic mood changes (accept any three)?
Name three protected categories under hate crime laws.
What are race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, disability (accept any three)?
True or False: Children who witness family violence can experience trauma even if they are not physically harmed themselves.
What is true?
Name three things the Crime Victims' Compensation Program can help pay for.
What are medical expenses, counseling costs, lost wages, funeral expenses (accept any three)?
CRITICAL THINKING: You respond to a call where a person is standing in traffic, appears confused, and isn't responding to commands. What should be your first consideration before taking action?
What is assess for medical emergency (stroke, diabetes, head injury) or mental health crisis rather than assuming criminal behavior?
CRITICAL THINKING: A hostage taker demands to speak with the media and threatens to harm a hostage if denied. How should negotiators handle this demand?
What is use it as a negotiating point, buy time by discussing logistics, consult with command, and never immediately give in to demands?
CRITICAL THINKING: A person threatens suicide but refuses to tell you their plan. They seem calm and cooperative. Should you lower your level of concern? Why or why not?
What is No; calmness can indicate they've made a decision to act, refusal to share a plan doesn't mean one doesn't exist, and all suicide threats must be taken seriously regardless of demeanor?
CRITICAL THINKING: You respond to an assault where the victim believes it was a hate crime, but there's no graffiti, slurs, or symbols. Can this still be investigated and prosecuted as a hate crime? Explain.
What is Yes; bias motivation can be proven through witness statements, suspect's history, circumstances of target selection, and totality of evidence; physical symbols are not required?
CRITICAL THINKING: You arrive at a family violence call where both parties have injuries. The male has a scratch on his face; the female has bruising on her arms and neck. Both claim the other started it. How do you determine the primary aggressor?
What is evaluate injury severity and type (defensive vs. offensive), history of violence at location, size/strength disparity, who is fearful, who acted in self-defense, and who poses ongoing threat (not based on gender)?
CRITICAL THINKING: A victim of assault has a disability that makes it difficult to communicate verbally. What accommodations must be provided under victim's rights and ADA laws during the investigation?
What is provide interpreters, allow written communication, extra time for responses, assistive technology, accessible interview locations, and any reasonable accommodation needed for full participation in the justice process?
CRITICAL THINKING: During a mental health crisis call, family members are yelling conflicting information while the person in crisis becomes more agitated. What tactical decision should you make to improve the situation?
What is separate the family members to reduce stimulation, have one officer communicate with the person in crisis in a calm environment, and gather information from family separately?
CRITICAL THINKING: During a hostage situation, the suspect releases one elderly hostage who appears unharmed. What does this likely indicate, and how should the response team adjust their strategy?
What is progress in negotiation showing suspect may be willing to resolve peacefully; continue building rapport, avoid tactical actions that might escalate, and use the release as momentum for further negotiation?
CRITICAL THINKING: You arrive at a suicide threat call where the person has a gun but is talking with you. They say "I just want the pain to stop." What communication strategy and tactical considerations should guide your response?
What is acknowledge their pain and validate feelings, use active listening, maintain safe distance/cover, avoid sudden movements, focus on temporary nature of crisis, connect them to help, and consider less-lethal options while buying time (accept comprehensive answer addressing both communication and safety)?
CRITICAL THINKING: A victim of a hate crime is reluctant to have their case labeled as such because they fear media attention and community backlash. How should you balance victim wishes with proper investigation and prosecution?
What is explain the importance of accurate charging for justice and community safety, discuss protective measures available, respect their concerns while documenting bias indicators, provide victim advocate support, and communicate that while their input matters, charging decisions rest with prosecutors (accept comprehensive answer)?
CRITICAL THINKING: After arresting a suspect for family violence, the victim tells you they want to go back into the home to "work things out" and asks you not to tell anyone about the incident. Three children are inside. What are your legal and ethical obligations?
What is provide victim resources and explain protective orders, safety plan with victim, document children's presence as they may have witnessed violence (which can be a separate charge), potentially involve CPS if children are at risk, explain that prosecution continues regardless of victim cooperation, and cannot suppress the report.
CRITICAL THINKING: A victim tells you they don't want to participate in prosecution because they're afraid of retaliation and don't believe the system will protect them. How do you address their concerns while fulfilling your duty to investigate?
What is explain protective orders and no-contact conditions, discuss witness protection if available, provide victim advocate contact, explain how cases can proceed without victim testimony in some circumstances, document evidence independently, offer safety planning, acknowledge their fears as valid, and follow up regularly to maintain trust.