DPSST DPSST Mental Health and Crisis Intervention 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: DPSST's Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) is primarily designed to help officers:
- Respond safely and effectively to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis (Correct answer)
- Diagnose mental health conditions in the field
- Commit individuals involuntarily to psychiatric facilities
- Reduce the need for mental health professionals in emergency calls
Correct answer: Respond safely and effectively to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis
CIT training equips officers with skills to safely manage encounters with people in mental health crisis and connect them to appropriate care.
Question 2: Under Oregon law relevant to DPSST training, a 'civil hold' (emergency custody) may be initiated when a person:
- Is a danger to themselves or others due to a mental disorder (Correct answer)
- Has a history of mental illness but poses no immediate threat
- Refuses to speak with an officer
- Is found intoxicated in a public place
Correct answer: Is a danger to themselves or others due to a mental disorder
A civil hold requires that the person pose an immediate danger to themselves or others as a result of a mental disorder.
Question 3: Which communication technique is emphasized in DPSST CIT training for engaging a person in mental health crisis?
- Active listening (Correct answer)
- Rapid commands
- Immediate physical intervention
- Silent observation only
Correct answer: Active listening
Active listening—reflecting, validating, and building rapport—is the cornerstone of CIT communication strategy.
Question 4: DPSST training identifies which of the following as a common sign that a person may be experiencing a psychiatric emergency?
- Disorganized speech and confused thinking (Correct answer)
- Speaking calmly but quickly
- Asking for a supervisor
- Refusing to provide identification
Correct answer: Disorganized speech and confused thinking
Disorganized speech and confused thinking are recognized indicators of a possible psychiatric emergency requiring a CIT response.
Question 5: According to DPSST guidelines, when approaching a subject in crisis, officers should first:
- Create time and distance to assess the situation (Correct answer)
- Immediately apply restraints to prevent harm
- Issue three verbal warnings before taking action
- Contact a mental health clinician before speaking to the subject
Correct answer: Create time and distance to assess the situation
Creating time and distance allows officers to safely assess a crisis situation before committing to a specific course of action.
Question 6: DPSST CIT training teaches that 'therapeutic deception'—telling a person in crisis something false to gain compliance—is generally:
- Discouraged because it damages trust and long-term community relationships (Correct answer)
- Encouraged as an effective de-escalation tool
- Required before any civil hold can be initiated
- Permitted only when the subject poses a deadly threat
Correct answer: Discouraged because it damages trust and long-term community relationships
DPSST discourages therapeutic deception because it undermines trust and can worsen future interactions between the community and law enforcement.
DPSST DPSST Mental Health and Crisis Intervention 1
DPSST's Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) is primarily designed to help officers: