San Mateo Co. Gets $350K In Federal Funds For Crisis Training Program

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office received $350,000 in federal funds for its Enhanced Crisis Intervention Training Program, the sheriff’s office announced last week.

The sheriff’s office, which has held four sessions through the program, said the training program educates deputies on how to de-escalate situations where a person is going through a psychiatric emergency. It’s the only program to be certified by California Peace Officers Standard & Training.

“ECIT is an extremely valuable program which has resulted in multiple successful de-escalations of dangerous incidents,” San Mateo County Sheriff Carlos Bolanos said in a news release. “This facilitates a greater focus on a resolution that strengthens public safety and mental health solutions for the public.”

Bolanos thanked Sen. Alex Padilla, who he said was crucial in securing the funding as part of the federal omnibus appropriations spending bill signed by President Joe Biden in March.

“I am proud to have secured federal funding for the Enhanced Crisis Intervention Training Program,” Padilla said. “This new funding will help law enforcement first responders be better prepared and better equipped to respond to mental health emergencies in our neighborhoods – and will help lead to safer outcomes for everyone.”

The next training session through the program will take place this month.