FBCSO Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)
Lt. Ellis & Sheriff Fagan explain the role of the Crisis Intervention Team. The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)is a specialized unit formed within the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office and funded under federal grants that assists in helping individuals suffering from mental illness. The objective of this team is to work within the mental health provider network by assisting mental health consumers in crisis in reaching the appropriate care by diverting these individuals away from incarceration or emergency rooms when possible.
The 15-member CIT utilizes specialized training and protocols to assist in these goals and is also involved in training other first responders within the county in the recognition of mental illness. CIT is under the Emergency Operations command of the Sheriff’s Office’s Chief Deputy.
CIT works closely with local health care providers such as the Fort Bend County Behavioral Health Services Department and the Texana Center. When a CIT deputy responds to a call, a Texana representative also responds.
For mental health resources, please refer to the CIT Mental Health Resources Guide[PDF]
www.fortbendcountytx .gov/sites/default/f iles/document-centra l/document-cent
Last year, 1,895 contacts were made by CIT in the Fort Bend community when calling 9-1-1. Of those contacts, 19% were juveniles, 6% had intellectual and development disabilities, 5% were experiencing homelessness, 4% were veterans, 3% had autism and 2% had dementia. The most common reported mental illnesses included depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety and schizophrenia.
Why is CIT important for the community? Everyone copes with traumatic incidents differently. When you call 9-1-1, CIT is there to de-escalate situations and provide crisis intervention strategies that keep you and your neighbors safe.
Hear from CIT Lt. Ellis and Eric Fagan, Fort Bend County Sheriff here:
youtu.be/b6r5V1q4G84
(CIT) Supervisor: Lieutenant Jerome Ellis
Office: 281-341-8530
Email: Jerome.Ellis@fortbendcountytx.gov
Behavioral Health Services:
www.fortbendcountytx .gov/government/depa rtments/behavioral-h ealth-services 
