Police-Encounters-With-People-In-Crisis

crises occur at the same time, in almost all cases the MCIT cannot address all three calls.
As a result, front line officers still play the most significant role in managing crisis calls.
4. Selection and training of MCIT officers and nurses
21. Officers are selected for the MCIT program through an internal job call within the
TPS when a position becomes available. The job summary requests officers who have
“shown a strong ability to deal effectively with persons in crisis.” 14 There are generally
three to four applicants per position, though as the MCIT becomes more established,
applications are increasing and recruitment is becoming more selective. The term of the
position is generally, though not always, for a minimum of two years and a maximum of
five. Any first class constable can apply. 15 Applicants must therefore have significant
policing experience.
22. MCIT nurses are selected from within individual partner hospitals. The MCIT
model job posting for nurses specifies that applicants must have a minimum of three
years of recent experience in an acute mental health setting, preferably with a minimum
of two years of experience in a community mental health setting. In addition, the nurse
must possess several certifications directly applicable to crisis prevention and
psychiatric nursing. 16
23. The MCIT Coordination Steering Committee is in the process of standardizing
the processes for the selection and oversight of MCIT officers and nurses. This is an area
that is evolving through collaboration between the TPS and partner hospitals.
24. Currently, the TPS division and the partner hospital that oversee the individual
MCIT unit do a preliminary vetting of candidates. Most MCIT units now use a joint
hiring process where a representative from the police division participates on the
partner hospital’s committee for hiring MCIT nurses and vice versa. The goal is to have
input from both the TPS and the partner hospital in all MCIT hiring decisions.
25. All MCIT officers and nurses attend a week-long training course, designed to
familiarize the officer and nurse with each other, with the nature of their roles in
partnership, and with respect to their common approach in interacting with a person in
crisis. The course provides officers with an enhanced understanding of specific mental
health issues and symptoms, and recommendations on how to approach persons
exhibiting specific symptoms. The course is focused on information sharing, and is
14
Toronto Police Service, Position Specification Sheet, “Mobile Crisis Intervention Team (MCIT)” (Toronto: Toronto Police Service,
2009) at 1.
15
Newly hired constables begin as fourth class constables and progress to first class constables. Constables are considered annually
for reclassification. Accordingly, first class constables have at least three years of experience; see Toronto Police Service, “Salary,
Benefits, Career Development” (Toronto, Toronto Police Service, 2013), online: Toronto Police Service .
16
Toronto East General Hospital, “Job Posting: Position Title: Registered Nurse, Department: Mental Health Services – Mental
Health/Addictions,” City of Toronto MCIT Program Guideline (February 2014).
Police Encounters With People in Crisis |222