DCJS Mental Health & Crisis Intervention 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under Virginia law, a Temporary Detention Order (TDO) allows law enforcement to detain an individual for mental health evaluation for a maximum of how many hours?
- 24 hours
- 48 hours
- 72 hours (Correct answer)
- 96 hours
Correct answer: 72 hours
Virginia law allows a TDO to be issued for up to 72 hours to permit emergency psychiatric evaluation and treatment.
Question 2: Which Virginia statute primarily governs the emergency custody and temporary detention of individuals who may be a danger to themselves or others due to mental illness?
- Title 18.2 Criminal Code
- Title 37.2 Behavioral Health Code (Correct answer)
- Title 19.2 Criminal Procedure
- Title 32.1 Health Code
Correct answer: Title 37.2 Behavioral Health Code
Title 37.2 of the Virginia Code governs behavioral health, including procedures for Emergency Custody Orders and Temporary Detention Orders.
Question 3: During a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) response, what is the PRIMARY goal of the responding officer?
- Secure an immediate arrest
- De-escalate the situation and connect the individual to appropriate services (Correct answer)
- Transport the individual to jail
- Issue a summons for disorderly conduct
Correct answer: De-escalate the situation and connect the individual to appropriate services
CIT training emphasizes de-escalation and diversion to mental health resources as the primary objective rather than arrest.
Question 4: An Emergency Custody Order (ECO) in Virginia may be issued by which of the following?
- A magistrate or special justice only
- A law enforcement officer only
- A magistrate, special justice, or a treating physician in certain circumstances (Correct answer)
- Only a circuit court judge
Correct answer: A magistrate, special justice, or a treating physician in certain circumstances
Virginia Code §37.2-808 allows an ECO to be issued by a magistrate, special justice, or in certain circumstances by a treating physician.
Question 5: What does the acronym 'PTSD' stand for in the context of mental health crises encountered by law enforcement?
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Correct answer)
- Pre-Trial Supervision Directive
- Psychiatric Triage and Safety Directive
- Post-Treatment Stabilization Directive
Correct answer: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD stands for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, a condition law enforcement officers frequently encounter in the field and may also experience themselves.
Question 6: When communicating with a subject in a mental health crisis, which approach is MOST effective according to CIT principles?
- Use commanding, loud verbal directives to establish authority
- Speak calmly, listen actively, and use open-ended questions (Correct answer)
- Immediately request backup and wait without engaging
- Threaten arrest to gain compliance quickly
Correct answer: Speak calmly, listen actively, and use open-ended questions
CIT principles emphasize calm, empathetic communication with active listening and open-ended questions to reduce agitation and build rapport.
Question 7: Under Virginia's ECO law, how long may law enforcement detain a subject under an Emergency Custody Order before a TDO must be issued or the individual released?
- 4 hours
- 8 hours (Correct answer)
- 12 hours
- 24 hours
Correct answer: 8 hours
Virginia Code §37.2-808 permits detention under an ECO for up to 8 hours while a TDO evaluation is arranged.
DCJS Mental Health & Crisis Intervention 1
Under Virginia law, a Temporary Detention Order (TDO) allows law enforcement to detain an individual for mental health evaluation for a maximum of how many hours?