OGDENSBURG -- Ogdensburg City Police will receive state funding to establish a mental health crisis intervention team, according to State Senator Patty Ritchie, R-Heuvelton.

The team will be comprised of mental health providers and advocates, law enforcement officers, emergency services directors and families of people with mental illness. They will develop a curriculum and provide specialized training to help resolve potentially adverse situations involving people with mental illness and law enforcement, Ritchie said.

Funding secured was included in the 2014-15 state budget. The money will reimburse local governments for the costs associated with the crisis intervention training. Crisis intervention team programs typically provide 40 hours of training for law enforcement, Ritchie said.

The goal of the program is to train up to 20 percent of the patrol force in each locality. Training will also include mental health first aid strategies for first responders to implement, according to Ritchie.

“Many communities across the country are establishing Crisis Intervention Teams to train law enforcement officers to recognize different types of mental illness, to intervene appropriately and get the person the help they need,” Ritchie said.

“I’m pleased that this successful model is being brought to Ogdensburg so our local police can develop this expertise as well as create a safer environment for those with a mental illness as well as the entire community."