It is a well-known fact that municipal governments have an obligation to ensure the well-being and safety of all members of their community. This responsibility extends to those within the community who have special needs, be they individuals with autism, mental health conditions, or any other circumstance that may require a specialized approach by law enforcement. Police departments, as representatives of the municipal government, must do more to identify special needs residents within their communities and adjust their responses to calls accordingly. This proactive approach is not only necessary but also integral in ensuring the safety and well-being of these individuals.
Municipal governments can adopt several strategies to address this issue. One of these is the inclusion of information about special needs residents in the dispatch log. By doing so, officers responding to calls can be made aware of these individuals' condition even before arriving at the scene. This can help prevent overreaction or misinterpretation of actions, thereby reducing the risk of unnecessary confrontations or misunderstandings.
Another viable strategy is the implementation of technology to assist officers in identifying residences with special needs individuals. There are existing applications that send notifications to officers' mobile computers when they are within a certain distance of such addresses. These applications are usually voluntary, meaning families can choose whether to enter their addresses into the system. However, with the right communication from the police department, it can be expected that participation rates would be high.
It is important to note that the success of these strategies depends heavily on the strong communication between the police department and the community. The police must make an effort to reach out to the community and encourage families to participate. They should also provide reassurances that this information will be used solely for the purpose of ensuring the safety of these individuals and not for any other reason.
Furthermore, these strategies should be accompanied by adequate training for officers. They must be educated on how to interact with special needs individuals and how to deescalate situations that may arise. Knowledge about different conditions and how they may affect an individual's behavior can go a long way in ensuring that officers respond appropriately.
Ultimately, the goal of these strategies is to foster a sense of safety and security within the community. By taking these steps, municipal governments and police departments can play their part in ensuring that all members of the community feel protected and served. However, these efforts need to be continuous and constantly evolving, taking into account the changing needs of the community.
Implementing these strategies may require an investment of time and resources. However, the benefits far outweigh the costs. By ensuring that officers are aware of special needs residents and are equipped to handle interactions with them appropriately, we can prevent potentially harmful situations and ensure the safety and well-being of all members of the community.
As members of the municipal management community, it is our responsibility to advocate for these changes and to work towards their implementation. We must be the voice for those who may not be able to advocate for themselves and ensure that their safety and well-being are prioritized.
Brink, J., Livingston, J., Desmarais, S., Greaves, C., Maxwell, V., Michalak, E., Parent, R., Verdun-Jones, S., & Weaver, C. (2011). A Study of How People with Mental Illness Perceive and Interact with the Police. Mental Health Commission of Canada.
Cordner, G. (2006). People with Mental Illness. Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.
Watson, A. C., Morabito, M. S., Draine, J., & Ottati, V. (2008). Improving Police Response to Persons with Mental Illness: A Multi-level Conceptualization of CIT. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry.