Date of Conferral
2022
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Public Policy and Administration
Advisor
Gregory Campbell
Abstract
The problem addressed in this qualitative case study was the lack of documentation that supports the perceptions and experiences of crisis intervention team (CIT) trained female police officers related to their encounters with persons with mental illness (PwMI) with autism. Using Giles’s communicative accommodation theory (CAT), the purpose of this study examined the perceptions of CIT-trained female police officers of PwMI with autism during encounters. Giles’s CAT was aligned closest with the teachings of CIT training. Seven participants provided data which comprised of completed questionnaires and transcribed interviews. The method of analysis used was a combination of inductive coding and theme analysis that established the results of this study. The key findings of the study demonstrated increased knowledge of autism in CIT-trained officers and revealed that officers had an increased knowledge of verbal de-escalation skills, new perspectives on PwMI with autism, having extensive knowledge of outreach programs at specific hospitals, and also confirmed that there is not enough training on autism specific individuals. The positive social change that was produced from this study includes a suggested update to the policy for CIT training to include autism as a mental illness as it relates to officer awareness for mental health agencies that work with police departments in the State of Ohio. Specialized training may promote improved departmental outcomes, assist with injury reductions, and enable police officer accountability and reliability.
Recommended Citation
Hall, Julie, "Crisis Intervention Team Training on Autism Among Female CIT-Trained Police Officers" (2022). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 12381.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/12381
