As a CIT Coordinator, Officer Peter Elste works closely with Crisis Intervention Clinician Scott Alvord on the Danbury Police Crisis Intervention Team. Together, they respond to calls involving mental and behavioral issues in ways that can help connect people to available services.

In this episode Pete and Scott speak about Community Response and their work as a Crisis Intervention Team.  They share what a “typical” CIT shift looks like, the challenges of getting mental health training within law enforcement, and how policing has changed with regards to mental health.

Peter Elste is currently serving with the Danbury Police Department where he is a Field Training Officer, Crisis Intervention Team Coordinator, and a member of the Emergency Services Unit and Peer Support Team.

Scott Alvord, LCSW is an experienced therapist and clinical supervisor. Scott works with the Crisis Intervention Teams for two local Police Departments as their Crisis Intervention Clinician.