ABOUT US AND HOW TO JOIN US

ABOUT US 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 highly motivated and trained 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:

Providing humane transportation to the mentally ill.

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 a few 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

Suicide and Lethality

Brain Pathology

Interviewing and Report Writing

Community CPR and First Aid

Defensive Driving



After classroom training a Crisis Trainee will be required to ride a total of SEVEN 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 12 noon to 6:00pm and 6:00pm till midnight, 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 jobs you will ever have please click on the application link below.

More information on the program is offered with a phone call to
Adam Graff at 504-833-0690 - No calls after 9pm please.