08/30/2017
We Need Volunteers:
WHO WE ARE AND HOW TO JOIN US
The New Orleans Police Department MOBILE CRISIS UNIT is a joint venture between the NOPD and the office of Louisiana Health and Hospitals-Division of Mental Health.
We are a trained, highly motivated team of volunteers who respond at the request of NOPD District Units when mental health calls are received.
Our goal is to assist in assessing and providing the appropriate treatment for individuals who will benefit from mental health interventions in lieu of criminal incarceration.
The NOPD CRISIS UNIT has developed an expertise and has proven to be successful in:
Crisis Intervention
Providing transportation for the mentally ill to area hospitals.
Diverting the mentally ill from possible encounters with the criminal/juvenile justice system.
Relieving the NOPD district officers thus, enabling them to continue their maximum law enforcement capacity.
The New Orleans Police Department CRISIS UNIT has made significant contributions to both the Police Department and the people of Orleans Parish.
The CRISIS UNIT is a highly responsible team working closely with the New Orleans Police Department and the community. We are a national and local award winning unit of volunteers.
We are currently searching for new volunteers for the CRISIS UNIT to serve as Mental Health Technicians. There are many benefits to becoming a member of this elite volunteer program in addition to the pride and satisfaction.
VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS:
PASS STANDARD DRUG SCREEN
PASS POLICE BACKGROUND CHECKS
VALID LOUISIANA DRIVER’S LICENSE
MINIMUM 21 YEARS OF AGE
HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR EQUIVALENT
A DESIRE TO BECOME AN ELITE MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY
The training schedule to become a Crisis Technician lasts for a period of seven weeks. Classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00pm till 9:00pm.
An occasional Saturday class may be inserted as needed.
The course of study to become a Crisis Technician consists of, but is not limited to:
The History of the Program, Roles and Responsibilities of the Technician.
Police Procedures
Radio Communications
Handling the Mentally Ill
Abnormal Psychology
Prevention and Management of Aggressive Behavior
Su***de and Lethality
Brain Pathology
Interviewing and Report Writing
Community CPR and First Aid
Defensive Driving
Classroom training will be required as well as a total of SIX training rides with two of our present Technicians, one of which will be a Field Training Technician, where field experience will be taught, monitored and graded.
Upon completion of the training, Crisis technicians are required to work TWO six hour shifts per month. We presently have two NOPD marked vans and our technicians ride as a two person unit. Our shift times are 10:00am to 4:00pm and 6:00pm until 10:00pm, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year.
If you feel you meet the above requirements and wish to join us in one of the most
challenging and satisfying volunteer opportunities you will ever have, please click on the application link below.
For more information on when the program is offered please call:
Sgt. Ben Glaudi at 504-952-1482
Teri Nezbeth at 504/658-6185
