Tips for Individuals on the Spectrum When Interacting With the Police
Recent social movements such as Black Lives Matters have highlighted how prevalent police brutality is.
The effects of police brutality have also effected the autism community. The recent incident of Linden Cameron, a 13-year-old boy with autism, who was shot and severely injured by Salt Lake Police on September 4, 2020. This incident sparked national outrage and caused people to call for better training of officers when interacting with individuals on the autism spectrum or anyone with special needs.
The thought of an interaction with law enforcement becomes a more horrifying issue with the publication of a new study by Treatment Advocacy Center that states people with untreated mental illness are 16 times more likely to be killed during a police encounter than other civilians approached or stopped by law enforcement. The Treatment Advocacy Center study also informed us that “numbering fewer than 1 in 50 U.S. adults, individuals with untreated severe mental illness are involved in at least 1 in 4 and as many as half of all fatal police shootings”. This is all the more reason to prepare for if you or your loved one ever have an interaction with the police,
If you are an adult on the spectrum interacting with police, here are some safety tips:
Consider using a handout card:
According to an article by Autism Speaks, this card should be laminated with a person's specific information and it should be handed to the officer. the card should include you name, condition, information on propper interactions and your personal information including your address and other peopels phone numbers that they can call. An autism support or a trusted friend can help you create a card with all the necessary information. It is important to remember to not make any sudden movements and to warn the officer you are reaching into the pocket to grab your card.
Image above is example of card from Kerry Magro.
Practicing and Planning Disclosure Techniques
It is critical to develop the plan with a person you trust on how you will use the card if you are ever in an interaction. You can role-play with someone how you would disclose to the officer to prepare so it is less alarming and over stimulating according to an article by Autism Speaks
Stay in Place
It is crucial that you do not flee the scene or run from police - even if you did nothing wrong. Keep calm and stay still and wait for the officer to come to you.
Have someone you can call like an advocate or family member help you through the interview process:
Remember, if you are a victim, are reporting a crime, or being charged with a crime, you may want the police to contact a family member, advocate, or friend who can help you through the interview process.
With that being said, law enforcement agencies across the country are improving their training methods for when interacting with individuals with special needs and many counties are re-directing funds towards crisis-intervention specialists to also attend to 911 calls. There have been countless instances of police brutality being fatal or nearly fatal due to the lack of understanding of behaviors of individuals with special needs. These tips should be helpful if you or a loved one ever has an interaction with the police.