Behavioral Health

Model Training

1ON1

A Committment to training

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez implemented the largest training initiative in the history of the Harris County Sheriff's Office upon taking office in January 2017.

Starting in June 2017, all detention personnel and peace officers started receiving 40 hours of mental health training in their academies. At the time, the state mandate for mental health training was four hours for detention personnel and 16 hours for peace officers. Effective January 2018, the state mandate for mental health training for detention personnel increased to eight hours.

Effective April 2018, the state mandate for peace officers was increased to 40 hours.

Responding to individuals with mental illness in jail and on the streets is one of the most important criminal justice issues today. Under Sheriff Gonzalez's leadership, the Harris County Sheriff's Office has become a model agency for mental health training.

Let's GO

Role Plays

computer-simulated training

 

ICAT

Integrated Communication, Assessment and Tactics (ICAT) training from the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF). Mandatory 16-hour scenario-based class for all certified and detentions personnel.

Mental Health

All new certified peace officers and detentions personnel receive 40-hours of mental health training. The class for detentions is specifically designed for jail personnel.

ABLE

Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement. Evidence-based training from Georgetown Law. ABLE empowers deputies to feel comfortable with peer-to-peer intervention regardless of rank and further teaches deputies about wellness. Mandatory 8-hour scenario-based class for all certified and detention personnel.

Collaboration

Community instructors

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Menninger Clinic

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Alzheimer's Association

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Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD

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Veterans Administration Hospital

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NAMI Greater Houston

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Peace of Mind Outreach

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Easter Seals of Houston

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Baylor College of Medicine

what They're Saying

Student Testimonials

I was not sure what this class was about when I first signed up to take it. However, I learned this is a much-needed class for everyone. This has been one of my favorite classes. The instructors were amazing.

Supervisor Taking ICAT Class

This is the best class I have ever taken. The information will help me with my job and the instructors were amazing. I especially liked role-play scenarios. They were specifically designed for detention officers.

Detention Officer

I was skeptical about taking this training. It soon won me over. I only wish I had this training ten years ago. This is training every patrol deputy and officer should have. It will help keep them and the consumers they are responding to safe.

Deputy

personnel receiving behavioral health training by year

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

ICAT Study

An evaluation of ICAT was conducted by researchers from the University of Cincinnati. Using a randomized control study design, the team looked at the impact of ICAT among officers in the Louisville Metropolitan Police Department. The findings are impressive.

use of force

The study found a 28% reduction in use of force incidents.

Citizen injuries

The study found a 26% decline in citizen injuries.

officer injuries

The study found a 36% decline in officer injuries.

ABLE Training

Now more than ever, communities across the country, and the law enforcement agencies that serve those communities are recognizing those first responders must do a better job intervening when necessary to prevent their colleagues from causing harm or making costly mistakes.

213

ABLE-certified agencies

1330

ABLE instructors trained

39

U.S. states represented

contact

Sergeant rico gomez

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Behavioral Health Training Unit

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Project Guardian

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Project Lifesaver

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CORE Telehealth Program

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Learning Site Program

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Jose.Gomez@Sheriff.hctx.net

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713-806-1270 (cell)