The crisis intervention team (CIT) model: An evidence‐based policing practice?

As academic researchers, we are often asked to opine on whether the Crisis Intervention Team model (CIT) is an evidence‐based practice (EBP) or evidence‐based policing. Our answer is that it depends on how you define evidence‐based practice and what outcome you are interested in. In this commentary, we briefly describe the CIT model, examine definitions of evidence‐based practice and evidence‐based policing, and then summarize the existing research on what is known about the effectiveness of CIT to date. We conclude that CIT can be designated an EBP for officer‐level cognitive and attitudinal outcomes, but more research is needed to determine if CIT can be designated an EBP for other outcomes. Using an evidence‐based practice process approach, CIT may also be a justified strategy for many communities. Future directions to inform the field are discussed.