Police officer acceptance of new innovation: the case of crisis intervention teams

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the predictors of officer attitudes toward Crisis Intervention Teams, a new innovation designed to improve police response to people with mental illnesses.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study uses data from a larger study of the Chicago Police Department (CPD) Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program. CIT and Non‐CIT officers were surveyed in four districts. To examine the predictors of officer perceptions of crisis intervention teams, OLS regression is used.

Findings

Neither CIT nor non‐CIT officers seem to show the kinds of negative views of CIT that have undercut other social welfare based police innovations. Among CIT trained officers, those who had the opportunity to practice their new skills by responding to mental health related calls for service had more positive attitudes toward the program than those who did not.

Originality/value

This paper adds to both the Crisis Intervention Team and innovation literatures by examining an important aspect of the CIT implementation process. A model is developed that explores the correlates of officer support for the innovation and the conditions necessary for its successful implementation.

Citation

Schaefer Morabito, M., Watson, A. and Draine, J. (2013), "Police officer acceptance of new innovation: the case of crisis intervention teams", Policing: An International Journal, Vol. 36 No. 2, pp. 421-436. https://doi.org/10.1108/13639511311329778