I wrote to my favorite candidate for Sheriff of Ventura County, CA; Dennis Carpenter, with my concern for how law enforcement interacts with AS/Autistic people. I, along with others here who have posted such, are disappointed with how in many cases, law enforcement will mistake us for being under the influence of drugs, or for being a nervous criminal with shifty eyes hiding something. I've been questioned to the point of exhaustion, been searched, hassled, and followed many times by police and sheriffs, whom in good faith, believe I'm up to no good, and haven't any idea what AS is, and how our characteristic eye movements and different body language can affect their perception. (excuse run-on sentence)...
Here's what I wrote to Sheriff candidate Carpenter via his Facebook page:
Charles Murray An issue which I would appreciate if you could address, is High Functioning Autism and interaction with law enforcement. Many unnecessary injuries to deputies and civilians result from lack of familiarity with this mental disability. To the untrained officer, an Autistic citizen may appear combative or dangerous, when he i...s harmless and scared. He may punch a deputy involuntarily if a flashlight is shined at him, etc. Please let us know your thoughts on this.
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Yesterday at 7:23am · Comment · LikeUnlike · View Feedback (1)Hide Feedback (1) · Flag
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And his reply:
Dennis Carpenter for Sheriff
About 50 percent of our field deputies and jail deps receive add'l training in Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) which is focused on handling mental health patients. Field CIT officers receive 40 hours of training above and beyond other officers. Dealing with autism is A portion of the instruction.
Officers are taught to recognize the symptoms ... See Moreand react accordingly. Since implementing this training, injuries during arrests/detentions have dropped significantly.
Off's engage in role-playing scenarios and get to meet and talk with a 30 yr old autistic male.
Officers volunteer for CIT and it is rewarding to see officers willing to take on add'l training and responsibilities.
If you would like to talk further, we might exchange phone numbers.
Dennis
Yesterday at 7:38pm · Flag
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I chose to use the term High Functioning Autism, rather than Asperger's, because I have found that very few people among the general public are familiar with AS.
I will compose a reply to Deputy Carpenter's reply, and may cite a personal experience for him to review.
Charles
21 May 2010, 10:21 am
