Mental Health Training and the RCMP

Date: June 15, 2020

Classification: Unclassified

Branch/Agency: RCMP

Issue: Most public and police interactions are resolved through dialogue as taught in the crisis de-escalation model in the police defensive tactics training.

Proposed Response:

• The goal is to keep both the public and the first responders safe by using a range of responses that begin at the minimum level and escalate as needed to change behaviour and stop the threat
• This is a foundational element of officer training that is introduced at the training academy, DEPOT, and is reinforced via annual mandatory re-certification
• Furthermore, a Crisis Intervention De-Escalation (CID) Course was released in July 2016 and is mandatory for all police officers. The course provides a deeper understanding of conflict and how de-escalation skills are critical to police work with communities. This training helps police officers assess risk and includes identification and response to subjects with Excited Delirium Syndrome 
  
• The risk assessment process takes into account subject behaviour, situational factors, tactical considerations and the officer’s assessment perception.
• Officers practice utilizing Crisis Intervention and De-escalation strategies during a series of scenario based training every three years. These scenarios were informed by actual public and police encounters.

Background:

The Toronto Star has written an article about the The lack of police training when it comes to dealing with mental health issues.

Police Intervention Training

• The Incident Management Intervention Model (IMIM) is introduced in the second week at the RCMP’s Training Academy, Depot, and then integrated into all other relevant aspects of training for the remaining 22 weeks.
• The IMIM trains members to consider all intervention options, and outlines the various levels of options available, based on that individual officers’ risk assessment.  The risk assessment process takes into account subject behaviour, situational factors, tactical considerations and the officer’s assessment perception.
• The IMIM is an Annual Training Course which helps train members in identifying persons in a crisis situations and how to de-escalate situations using verbal and non-verbal communication.
• Furthermore, a new Crisis Intervention De-Escalation (CID) Course has been developed and is mandatory for all police officers. The course provides a deeper understanding of conflict and how de-escalation skills are critical to police work with communities. 
• This de-escalation training helps police officers assess risk in crisis and mental health situations, and de-escalate these situations more effectively and safely.
• Members are trained and given feedback for their use of CID techniques whenever they perform scenario based training, which includes Conduct Energy Weapons training and in-service block training.

Background:  

• The recent situation in the United States has prompted news media to call upon Canadian police chiefs and elected officials to “…prove to Canadians that our police forces are different from and better than those south of the border.” In particular, to explain whether Canadian officers have been trained not to do what US officer (Mr.Chauvin) did; and, to explain how they deal with people in mental distress so that no one gets hurt.
• Recent analysis of officer safety and injuries underscored the need to establish operationally relevant police defensive tactics (PDT) training for police officers.
• This builds upon recent efforts to provide a deeper understanding of conflict and de-escalation skills which are critical to police work within our communities.

Current Status: 

• Public and officer safety remain the RCMP’s top priority. We have an important job to do and it is critical to the safety of Canadians to ensure there are trained, capable professionals in line to continue to provide front line policing in Canada.
• Most public and police interactions are resolved through dialogue. However occasionally, police intervention may be necessary. The primary objective in any interaction with the public is the safety of the public, and other first responders.
• The Incident Management Intervention Model (IMIM), crisis intervention de-escalation and police defensive tactics training are provided to inform an officer’s response.
• The IMIM is a foundational element of officer training that is introduced in the second week at the RCMP’s Training Academy, Depot. It remains an important focus of training for the remaining 24 weeks and throughout their careers with annual mandatory IMIM recertification and scenario-based training to reinforce these skills.
• The IMIM assists with training members to consider all intervention options, and outlines the various levels of options available, based on that individual officers’ risk assessment and the totality of the situation. The risk assessment process takes into account subject behaviour, situational factors, tactical considerations and the officer’s assessment perception.
• De-escalation is a key aspect of the IMIM. In July 2016 a mandatory Crisis Intervention De-Escalation (CID) course was developed and provides techniques to effectively de-escalate crisis situations, including incidents involving intervention in a mental health crisis. This de-escalation training helps police officers assess risk in crisis situations, and de-escalate these situations more effectively and safely.
• Officers have an opportunity to practice utilizing CID strategies during a series of scenario based training. These scenarios were informed by actual public and police encounters.
• Police defensive tactics are another important aspect of IMIM. These skills can minimize the risk of officer and public injury when involved in a physical altercation.
• It is important to recognize that these are defensive techniques are intended to prepare an officer to respond to the most challenging situation when a subject is assaultive to gain a measure of control over the subject and the situation
• There are instances in RCMP Police Defensive Tactics training whereby it is appropriate for an officer to use their knee and place it on a citizen’s upper body during an arrest. However, there is specific training and instruction provided which directs officers not to use their knee on the suspects neck.
• It is important to note that the level of force used in all interactions must be reasonable and commensurate with the totality of the situation.
• PDT training directly benefits Regular Members by increasing their ability to intervene in highly dynamic situations and increase police and public safety.
• The focus for the RCMP remains on the safety of the communities we serve and ensuring that we equip our officers with appropriate tools to respond safely and effectively.

Strategic Considerations:

• The RCMP is the police of primary jurisdiction for approximately 7.5 million people, which is 22% of the population of Canada and has jurisdiction over approximately 75% of Canada’s landmass and represents 25% of police officers in Canada
• The RCMP fields in excess of 2 million calls for service annually (on average), the vast majority of those interactions have positive outcomes; these statistics do not account for the daily (passing) interactions RCMP members have with the Canadian citizenry.
• Internal RCMP Subject Behaviour Officer Response (SBOR) data shows that use of force by RCMP officers occurs in less then 1% of police calls for service; despite policing numerous communities with the most serious socio-economic challenges in Canada.
• These statistics highlight that the use of Crisis Intervention De-escalation Training is practised extensively throughout the Force and where possible, physical altercations are a last resort.
• When and where force becomes necessary to intervene, SBOR data shows that Physical Control Hard Tactics (of which Carotid Control is a part) have a higher effectiveness rate at 87.9%, whereas Intermediate Weapons, (e.g. Defensive Baton, Conducted Energy Weapon etc.) are only effective in 77.7% of cases.
• The RCMP’s modernized defensive tactics provide the requisite PDT knowledge, skills and abilities to operate safely, effectively and efficiently in a variety of policing environments and contexts.
• The RCMP proactively modernized PDT techniques in order to reduce injuries suffered by officers and members of the public. 
• Extensive research and evidence informed these training changes in order to address the concerns outlined in an Occupational Health and Safety report regarding officer injuries. 

Contacts:

Prepared by: Jennifer Richens, DG Learning and Development, RCMP, 613 293-8706

Approved by: Gail Johnson Chief Human Resources Officer 613-716-2626

Date modified:

2021-02-08