From Sore to Soar

Police Interaction

Officers should be trained in mental illness, And understand signs of missed medication. They should communicate in a direct, calming voice and know how to minimize revengeful acts and aggressive language. Anything you do or say can be used against you in a court of law. Allow offers to make informed complex decisions. BE POLITE, not confrontational REPORT NAME, ADDRESS, AND AGE, AVOID MAKING SUDDEN MOVEMENTS, REMAIN CALM, DO NOT RUN AWAY,, DO NOT SIGN ANY FORMS. Disclosure can be made verbally or through an information card or bracelet. Advocate for crisis plans, know common places you may be confronted or screened, AND role-play interactions. it’s okay NOT to answer questions until you’re accompanied by an attorney, guardian, or advocacy organization who UNDERSTANDS your disability (Debbadt, 2006; Pacer Center, Inc., 2009, Lipson et al. 2010)

The Action is in the Interaction - Douglas Conant

Lifelines, Helplines & Hotlines

911

1-800-THE-LOST

Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK

Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE

Sexual Abuse Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE

ICE Tip Form: https://www.ice.gov/webform/ice-tip-form

Advocacy & Resources

  • Autism Speaks

    • Website: https://www.autismspeaks.org

    • Description: Understanding autism across the spectrum and throughout the lifespan, how better understanding can support better outcomes in police interactions with autistics.

  • * Children of Fallen Heroes (military, foster care, first responders)

    • Website: https://www.childrenoffallenheroes.org/

    • Description: remember heroes, support groups, memorial activities, community outreach, resources and referrals, honoring heroes tour with professional parachute demonstration

  • Pacer Center, Inc.

    • Website: https://www.pacer.org

    • Description: Provides information on what Youth should do if questioned by police, how to communicate with probation officers, and the correction systems.

$ Funding Opportunities

* Toolkits & More

THIS IS NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST

CONNECT TO SHARE RESOURCES

References

Debbaudt (2006). Interacting with Law Enforcement. Autism Speaks. Retrieved from: https://www.autismspeaks.org/interacting-law-enforcement

Delehanty, C., Mewhirter, J., Welch, R.,m Wilks, J. (2017). Militarization and police violence: The case of the 1033 program. Research and Politics. 1-7.

Lipson, G. S., Turner, J. T., Kasper, R. (2010). A strategic approach to police interactions involving persons with mental illness. Journal of Police Crisis Negotiations, 10 p. 30-38

Pacer Center, Inc. (2021). What youth need to know if they are questioned by police: Tips for parents to prepare their youth with a disability. Retrieved from: https://paautism.org/resource/teens-police-questioning. Action Sheet, PHP-c171.