Invention:
This invention is for law enforcement training program designed to aid in communication between officers and individuals on the autism spectrum who are pulled over during a traffic stop. This new program utilizes blue envelopes to inform officers that an individual may have neurodivergences that could potentially negatively impact any interactions with law enforcement. The blue envelope serves as a nonverbal cue that can help inform the officer’s communication approach. Developed collaboratively between several University of Arizona units including the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, the SALT Center, and UA’s Police Department, the training includes written information, video modules, and can be delivered in-person or online.
Background:
The Centers for Disease Control reports that more than 5.4 million adults in the U.S. are on the autism spectrum or approximately 2.2% of the population. Research on adults with autism found that during a 12- to 18-month period, a total of 16% of the sample had police contact. A 2008 study found that 80% of all U.S. law enforcement officers could not identify autism characteristics. There has been little to no training provided to law enforcement on how to deal with situations involving autistic and neurodivergent individuals or properly identify them. The Blue Envelope Program provides officers an easy way to identify these individuals and modify their communication and interactions accordingly.
Applications:
- Vol 1 is a law enforcement training program for encounters with autistic and neurodivergent individuals
Advantages:
- Provides extensive training through written information, video module(s), in-person trainings
- Training is intended to be primarily virtual but can also be done in person
- Developed collaboratively among UA departments with specific expertise
- Low-cost distribution of envelopes
- Potential to decrease number of violent interactions between autistic/neurodivergent individuals and police
- Vol 1 is the first of several law enforcement trainings in development
