Expanding Autism-Friendly Practices in Law Enforcement

This past October was a significant month for Autism New Jersey’s Law Enforcement Initiative, showcasing meaningful advancements in promoting autism-friendly practices across the state. This important work of our initiative has been made possible due to the generous support from the New Jersey State Bar Foundation.

Highlights included a productive Law Enforcement Advisory Committee meeting, the inaugural meeting of our Motor Vehicle Sub-Committee, and multiple presentations aimed at raising awareness among law enforcement agencies.

Additionally, Autism New Jersey formally launched the Law Enforcement Autism Planning Sessions (LEAPS) program, which partners directly with local law enforcement leaders to support autism-friendly practices. These efforts reflect a commitment to fostering safer and more positive interactions between law enforcement and the autism community statewide.

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Burlington County Mental Health & Special Needs Working Group

On October 3, 2024, Autism New Jersey was honored to present the Law Enforcement Initiative to the Burlington County Mental Health & Special Needs Working Group, members of the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office and several Chiefs of Police, and other law enforcement professionals at their quarterly meeting.

The initiative was well-received and sparked significant interest in implementing autism-friendly practices within Burlington County. Autism New Jersey is hoping to launch LEAPS and partner with municipal and county law enforcement to make this happen.

 

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Monmouth County Police Academy

In its continuing effort to highlight examples of quality autism training, initiative staff attended the Monmouth County Police Academy ‘s “Autism Awareness for Emergency Services” recruit training on October 7, 2024.

Academy Director Terence Mahon invited Autism New Jersey to observe its instructional block taught by Spring Lake Heights Police Captain Mike Matunas and Alex Mann, a 24-year autism self-advocate. The training was comprehensive with the recruits engaged and full of questions.

The Academy allowed Autism New Jersey to address the recruits about the Law Enforcement Initiative and the importance of autism awareness, early training, and the benefit of having a model that includes a member of the autism community in training. Autism New Jersey also connected with a representative from the New Jersey Police Training Commission in hopes of partnering on curriculum development.

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New Jersey County Jail Warden’s Annual Training Conference

In continuing to expand the initiative’s reach, Autism New Jersey partnered with Paul Aronsohn, New Jersey Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities, to present at the New Jersey County Jail Warden’s Annual Training Conference on October 9, 2024 at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City.

The presentation consisted of an overview of the Law Enforcement Initiative, autism training, awareness, de-escalation techniques, and available statewide resources. The presentation coincided with the expansion of our Law Enforcement Advisory Committee to include a member of the corrections division, Lt. Gregory Quintero of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office-Corrections Division.

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Somerset County Chiefs’ Quarterly Meeting

Autism New Jersey was invited by Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald to present its Law Enforcement Initiative to the Prosecutor-led Somerset County Chiefs’ quarterly meeting on October 16, 2024.

By directly engaging with Police Chiefs and the Prosecutor’s Office, Autism New Jersey continues to expand its efforts to encourage adoption of autism-friendly practices. We congratulate Somerset County Prosecutor McDonald on his recent announcement of a countywide registry to become operational January 2025.

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Hunterdon County Chiefs’ Association

Initiative Director Doreen Yanik and Law Enforcement Advisory Committee (LEAC) member Tewksbury Township Chief Tim Barlow (ret), presented to the Hunterdon County Chiefs’ Association on October 17, 2024, highlighting the initiative’s work to date and the expansion of the Blue Envelope Program. With Blue Envelope first being implemented countywide in Hunterdon County, it was fitting to provide them with an update as to all their hard work and collaboration with Autism New Jersey. Thank you to Hunterdon County Chiefs’ Association President Holland Township Police Chief Sean Gutsick for the amazing opportunity.

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Autism New Jersey 42nd Annual Conference

With the Law Enforcement Initiative highlighted as part of one of the keynote presentations at Autism New Jersey’s 42nd Annual Conference at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City (October 24th and 25th, 2024) we were honored to have opening remarks delivered by First assistant Attorney General Lyndsay Ruotolo who articulated the Attorney General’s Office’s commitment to our shared mission of protecting the most vulnerable members of our community.

We are especially grateful to our keynote speakers Dr. Ruth DeBar and Attorney General Deputy Director Raymond Royster for demonstrating that we all have a role in this mission. Dr. DeBar and Attorney General Deputy Director Royster jointed Intuitive Director, Doreen Yanik, in giving an impactful talk on the roles that everyone plays in advancing the cause of autism-friendly practices in law enforcement. A special thank you to and recognition of those members of the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee who attended the conference.

The initiative also was the subject of two lunch-and-network sessions at the conference. At the first, Director Yanik, Jeannie Callahan of AngelSense and several advisory committee members participated in a discussion regarding elopement and wandering scenarios and the use of real-time locative devices by law enforcement. The second lunch-and network session was squarely focused on autism-friendly practices and the work that law enforcement is doing to ensure safe and positive interactions with the autism community. The members of the advisory committee and our keynote presenters addressed the attendees and participated in productive and meaningful discussions.