Autism New Jersey Announces Law Enforcement Advisory Committee Appointments

I am honored to be able to represent the New Jersey State Police on the Autism New Jersey Law Enforcement Advisory Committee as we endeavor together to build a stronger partnership between law enforcement and the members of the autism community.

It is my belief that effective training and community outreach should serve as a catalyst for establishing a prolonged trust and safe future interactions between individuals with autism and police officers. I look forward to playing even a small role in ensuring that our autism community feels safe and secure when interacting with law enforcement and our law enforcement officers feel knowledgeable and supported in protecting the autism community.

It’s an honor to work with Autism New Jersey and the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee.  It is important for professionals to come together and exchange thoughts and ideas about best practices. By doing so we can better serve the needs of our autistic community.  We can create safer interactions with more positive outcomes.

Partnering with Autism New Jersey to foster and create positive interactions between the law enforcement and autistic community is of great importance to the Essex County Sheriff’s Office. Working together we can strategize and better train our officers in communicating and interacting with the autistic community and their families.

As a father and husband that lives the life of a person with a son that has autism and being a chief of police it’s my responsibility to be part of the acceptance change in our society. It’s a blessing and honor to work with Autism New Jersey and many police officers from around the state to be part of the change. I look forward to seeing the success we develop as law enforcement for the special needs community.

I commend the efforts of Autism New Jersey to produce and execute a Law Enforcement Initiative.  Officers throughout the state have an increasing amount of encounters with autistic individuals.  Meeting with other officers is a great way to fine-tune our methods and obtain ideas that will help bring all encounters to a safe conclusion. I’m so proud to be on the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee.  Many parents of individuals with autism work tirelessly to provide a safe environment for their children.  Nothing is more satisfying than being a comfort to families when a need arises.

The Law Enforcement Initiative is a wonderful endeavor that will undoubtedly benefit members of the autism community, as well as the law enforcement community. The awareness and understanding of people with autism is extremely important for members of law enforcement. Every police department needs to have the proper training and established practices to keep everyone safe.”

I am extremely proud to have been welcomed as a member of the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee.  Not only am I a veteran police officer, I am also the father of an autistic son.  It is very meaningful to me to have the opportunity to potentially help with a program that will ultimately benefit him.