By James Williams, Editor

The Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office recently announced that it has earned the Certified Autism Center (CAC) designation from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). This certification means that at least 80% of the department’s community-facing officers and personnel have completed autism-specific training. The goal is to ensure officers can effectively recognize, communicate with, and assist autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals during encounters.

Every day, law enforcement officers respond to emergency situations involving individuals from all walks of life. However, standard police protocols don’t always account for the unique ways autistic individuals may respond to stress, commands, or physical presence. This training aims to bridge that gap.

A person with autism may have an impaired sense of danger, leading them toward hazardous situations like traffic or deep water. They may experience sensory overload due to police sirens, flashing lights, or loud verbal commands. Some individuals might react in ways that officers misinterpret as noncompliance, such as avoiding eye contact, engaging in repetitive movements (stimming), or failing to respond to verbal directions. Others may become fearful of uniforms and equipment, which could lead to unpredictable behavior.

By training officers to recognize these signs, the Sheriff’s Office is taking an important preventative step to avoid tragic misunderstandings and improve safety for all individuals involved.

“The Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office, under Sheriff Bilal’s leadership, is committed to serving every community member with understanding and respect. The dedication and effort that went into this initiative is indicative of the culture put into place over the past five years,” says Jamison Rogers, Chief of Staff of the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office.

The need for autism awareness in law enforcement has been underscored by past incidents where officers, lacking proper training, misread situations involving autistic individuals. In 2020, 13-year-old Linden Cameron, who had a sensory processing disorder, was shot multiple times by a Salt Lake City police officer after running from his home during a meltdown. The city later settled with the family for $3 million. In 2024, 15-year-old Ryan Gainer, an autistic boy in California, was fatally shot by police while holding a garden tool. His family had called 911 for help during a mental health crisis. These cases highlight the risks that arise when law enforcement is unprepared to handle interactions with neurodivergent individuals.

“Now, more than ever, law enforcement officers need to understand better how to communicate and engage with autistic individuals to ensure the safety and well-being of all community members. We not only designed and implemented the Autism Decal Program in 2023, but we also ensured that our officers and staff went through intensive training,” says Darryl B. Roberts, Assistant Director of Community Outreach of the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office.

With this certification, the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office joins a growing number of law enforcement agencies taking proactive measures to ensure officers are equipped with the knowledge and skills to handle autism-related interactions with care and understanding. This not only improves public safety but also builds trust between law enforcement and the autism community.

“This certification is a testament to the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office’s dedication to prioritizing safety for every individual, especially for those who are autistic or sensory-sensitive,” says Myron Pincomb, IBCCES board chairman. “IBCCES is proud to award them with the Certified Autism Center™ credential, highlighting their ongoing commitment to enhancing accessibility throughout their community.”

The Town Crier is a Rapid Response news blog that is written by James Williams and created in collaboration with ChatGPT for research assistance and content editing.