Helping Police Interact With
Individuals With Autism
The Palm Bay Police Department Autism
Project fosters a multi-organizational approach
to promote education and understanding of
persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder and
Intellectual Disabilities. Our goal is to reduce
potential negative encounters during stressful
situations.
The Palm Bay Police Department has partnered
with the Wallet Card® Project to provide
a quick and painless way to communicate with
a police officer.
The personalized wallet card lets law
enforcement know what kind of reaction they
may get from the individual. It can explain
why an individual cannot answer the officer,
triggers, and mannerisms that require the need
for the officer to communicate differently.
The card confirms the individual’s diagnosis,
common traits and symptoms. After seeing
the wallet card, officers can evaluate the situation
and adjust their actions accordingly.
The program includes awareness and deescalation
training for officers and expands
understanding of what to expect in a typical
encounter with a police officer.
Here are several sample situations:
Traffic Stop: If an officer has
observed a traffic violation or
received information about the
vehicle and/or the driver and initiates
a traffic stop. it is important to
do the following:
• When the police officer pulls
behind you and activates his vehicle
emergency lights and siren, safely pull to
the right side of the road and out of the
way of traffic.
• Try to remain calm and relaxed.
• Keep your hands where the officer can see
them.
• Do not exit your vehicle unless an officer
instructs you to do so.
• Do not reach for your wallet card without
asking the police officer first.
• If an officer asks you for your driver’s
license, proof of insurance, or registration
show the officer your wallet card.
Other Law Enforcement Contact: An
officer may need to talk with you because
someone called the police, or you may be a
witness. The wallet card could let an officer
know to get in touch with a relative, explain
what kind of reaction to expect, and advise
how to defuse any situation that may arise. It
is best to do the following:
• Keep your hands where the officer can see
them.
• Do not put your hands in your pockets,
behind your back, or in your bag or purse.
• Face in the direction of the officer when he/
she is speaking to you.
• If you are feeling anxious, this is an appropriate
time to give the officer your wallet
card.
• Ask the officer if it is okay to show your
wallet card.
The members of the Palm Bay Police
Department hope that families, citizens, and
individuals with autism see officers as an ally
and advocate.
Let
us know what you need and how we
can better assist you and your family. For
more information please contact Sergeant
Tina Hensel at 321-726-5652.
The City of Palm Bay recognizes
that some members of
ca
our our
community may react differently
when coming in contact with
police officers or firefighters during
an emergency situation. With this in
mind, we have created an online registry
for people with Autism and intellectual
disabilities. It is available for all
residents. The information provided is
maintained in a confidential data base
which will assist emergency responders
in providing a more informed response.
If you are interested in participating in
this voluntary program, please apply at
www.pbfl.org/autism
:
l
c
ou
/autism