On November 12, 2024, Autism New Jersey hosted a statewide summit for law enforcement at the New Jersey Law Center in New Brunswick, New Jersey. More than 150 law enforcement leaders throughout the state attended, including 10 County Prosecutors, multiple Chiefs of Police, First Assistant Prosecutors, and a representative from the Office of the Attorney General.
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes, mother of two autistic daughters, gave inspiring remarks following a brief welcoming address by Autism New Jersey’s Executive Director, Dr. Suzanne Buchanan. Doreen Yanik, Esq., Autism New Jersey’s Law Enforcement Initiative Director, then provided an overview of the Law Enforcement Initiative, highlighting key accomplishments since the initiative formally launched in the beginning of 2024.
After Ms. Yanik’s overview, 12 law enforcement professionals engaged in informative and engaging panel discussions, highlighting key autism-friendly practices and their experiences in implementing these practices within their agencies. Many of the panelists also exhibited their practices later in the day, allowing for interaction with attendees and further discussion. The event provided continued statewide recognition of the initiative and an opportunity for multi-agency networking toward a common goal.
The summit was incredibly well-received with glowing and supportive feedback, and we thank our sponsors, AngelSense, Online Policing Solutions, and PerformCare for their support to help make this event possible!
Thank You to Our Sponsors
