The Houston Police Department’s Mental Health Division provides four quality on-site Crisis Intervention Training classes for law enforcement, including TCOLE required certification courses. Classes are open to both classified and civilian law enforcement employees. Key components include didactic training, with both classroom and scenario-based learning exercises.
Our Subject Matter Experts have taught throughout Texas, as well as the United States. All instructors are TCOLE certified Instructors and Mental Health Officers, with vast hands-on experience in dealing with mental health related crises and de-escalation.
All classes are taught at the Houston Police Academy
8:00 am – 4:00 pm (Monday – Friday)
The Houston Police Academy is located at:
17000 Aldine Westfield Road, Houston TX 77002
Parking is FREE!
Class Offerings
Crisis Intervention Training
TCOLE 1850-
Upcoming Classes
-
Sep 30 - 4, 2024
-
Jan 27 - 31, 2025
-
-
June 9 - 13, 2025
-
Aug 25 - 29, 2025
With increasing frequency, law enforcement is being called upon to respond to individuals in serious mental health crises. It is necessary for law enforcement personnel to understand mental illness, and the tactics and techniques that have been proven to work most effectively when responding to individuals in these situations. These tactics and techniques are different than those routinely taught to officers to manage conflict. Generally, the underlying elements behind mental illness-related behavior is usually not criminal or malicious. Utilizing the information from this course, and implementing effective strategies can help keep the officer safe, keep the public safe, and greatly reduce civil liability.
Mandated with the passage of the Sandra Bland Act (SB 1849) by the Texas Legislature in 2017, TCOLE 1850 replaced the 16-hour CIT class and is required training for officers licensed after 4/1/18 (within 2 years). This class is also required for officers who wish to obtain either an Intermediate or Advanced certificate.
Mental Health Officer Training
TCOLE 4201-
Upcoming Classes
-
All classes have been temporarily cancelled due to the recent changes made by TCOLE. When the new curriculum has been updated, we will begin offering classes again.
The purpose of the Mental Health Officer course is to further inform and educate the officer in the area of mental health and issues pertaining to serving as a mental health officer, to include advanced crisis intervention training.
This class is required to obtain the Mental Health Officer Certification.
NOTE: Personnel who have successfully completed the Basic Instructor class may teach most CIT classes after the successful completion of this class and certification as a Mental Health Officer. This course does NOT, however, provide for meeting all of the necessary requirements for teaching the TCOLE’s Course #1850. Having the Mental Health Officer certification does not equate to being a Mental Health Officer, which is a specified role within a police agency. (Please see TCOLE instructor pre-requisites for that course for full instructor requirements on the TCOLE website.)
Crisis Intervention Refresher
TCOLE 3843-
Upcoming Classes
-
Feb 13, 2025
-
June 17, 2025
-
August 1, 2025
This Crisis Intervention Refresher training provides a review of the key concepts, safety techniques, and communication skills initially taught in crisis intervention training portion of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Basic Peace Officer Curriculum. This course will also allow time for discussion, questions, and concerns of technique utilization that participants have experienced since their initial basic training. Brainstorming with fellow attendees will assist in the discussion of “best practices” and the sharing of personal situational experiences.
This class is required for TCOLE Intermediate/Advanced Peace Officer Certifications.
This course aims to provide a framework for Law Enforcement Officers to have a basic understanding about US Military culture, traumas, triggers and stressors, and de-escalation techniques when encountering Veterans in crisis. The course is structured around 16 hours of lecture, videos, and class dialogue and 8 hours of role playing, hands-on practice to build student confidence when encountering a US Veteran in crisis. The Trauma Affected Veteran course builds upon the techniques taught in Crisis Intervention Training (TCOLE 1850) and meets guidelines set by House Bill 1338.
This class is co-instructed by the Military Veteran Peer Network (MVPN)
Meet the Trainers
Officer Travis Cogbill
Officer Travis Cogbill joined the Houston Police Department in 2013. On patrol, he developed a passion for helping individuals affected by mental illness and became a Mental Health Officer. He joined the Crisis Intervention Response Team with the Mental Health Division and, from there, became a CIT Instructor, a certified Crisis/Hostage Negotiator, the Regional Director for Texas CIT association, and continues to teach at the Houston Police Academy. He is also in the process of furthering his education to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and therapist.
Sergeant Rebecca Skillern, LPC-S
Sergeant Rebecca Skillern is the Lead Instructor for the Houston Police Department’s Mental Health Division. Prior to becoming a Police Officer, Rebecca obtained her License as a Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) and has served in the mental health field for more than 22 years. In 2008, Rebecca moved from patrolling northeast Houston to what is now HPD’s Mental Health Division. She has been an integral part of the Crisis Intervention Response Team (CIRT), MHD Investigations, and CIT Instruction.
Officer Ernest Slaughter
Officer Ernest Slaughter has a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice, and a Master’s in the Administration of Justice. While on patrol in the Montrose area, he became attuned to the issues surrounding his community. As a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) he was exposed to the effects of substance abuse and it’s effects on both the individual and the community. As a Sexual Assault / Family Violence (SAFVIC) Detective, he gained insight on adverse childhood experiences. As an instructor, he hopes to build upon these experiences while helping to bring mental health awareness and de-escalation to the forefront of training at the Houston Police Department.
