Date of Conferral

2-16-2026

Degree

Doctor of Human Services (D.H.S.)

School

Human Services

Advisor

Barbara Benoliel

Abstract

A significant issue in human services practice in Macon, Georgia, is law enforcement officers’ responding to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis in public. Many police officers are not equipped to handle situations involving individuals experiencing mental health events, leading to possible adverse outcomes such as injury, incarceration, or even fatalities. There are increasing rates of mental illness disorders, and therefore, the need for compassionate, informed approaches for human service professionals to respond to those in crisis. More training to improve responses can lead to better outcomes for individuals in crisis, foster community trust in law enforcement, and enhance overall public safety. The purpose of this qualitative force field analysis was to provide information for a needs assessment to develop a preliminary logic model that may assist decision-makers in understanding the components of an improved training program for mental health crisis interventions within the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) framework developed by Cochran in 1988. Data were collected through online surveys from human service professionals skilled in crisis response, and the themes and recommendations were analyzed and ranked by importance for training programs. The findings emphasize professionals’ recommendations for specialized law enforcement training focused on de-escalation, empathy, and collaboration with mental health professionals. The findings contribute to social change by identifying key areas for improving law enforcement training to enhance community safety.

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