Policing along the spectrum: Reducing risk and improving service delivery
| Author | Thomas B Leydier |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/14613557221119117 |
| Published date | 01 December 2022 |
| Date | 01 December 2022 |
| Subject Matter | Original Research Articles |
Policing along the spectrum: Reducing
risk and improving service delivery
Thomas B Leydier
Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder is a complex life-long neurodevelopmental disorder that affects social skills, language, learning,
cognitive function, physical abilities, and behavior. Moreover, autism is becoming increasingly prevalent in Canada and
abroad. Inevitably, law enforcement professionals will interact with the autistic population in their duties; however,
many exchanges produce poor outcomes. Physical restraint is often used, and the benefit of autism-trained Crisis
Intervention Teams is underutilized, especially in Canada. In addition, current training outcomes for law enforcement pro-
fessionals are ephemeral and unlikely to yield mastery. This article argues three antidotes to improve service delivery and
reduce risk: Crisis Intervention Teams that incorporate autism training; methodologically sound and rigorously evaluated
practical training; and community outreach, which creates relationships proactively and fosters trust. Future research
should: analyze the outcomes of autistic-trained Crisis Intervention Teams; determine qualitatively what the population
with autism and their stakeholders seek in a comprehensive training curriculum; and determine the success of nascent
training courses and community outreach goals.
Keywords
Autism spectrum disorder, neurodiversity, developmental disorder, neurodevelopmental disorder, Crisis Intervention
Teams, policing autism, training
Submitted 6 Dec 2021, Revise received 2 Apr 2022, accepted 1 Jun 2022
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is becoming more preva-
lent in Canada and abroad (Matson and Kozlowski, 2011;
Ofner et al., 2018), and law enforcement professionals
(LEPs) will encounter this diverse group more frequently
(Teagardin et al., 2012). ASD affects both social and non-
social abilities. Some of these symptoms, such as a rigid
adherence to routine and the inability to follow commands
(Boutot, 2017; Debbaudt, 2002), could detrimentally
impact service delivery and increase the risk of exchanges
between LEPs and people with ASD (Debbaudt, 2002).
Also, there is mounting evidence that people with ASD
are more likely to have co-morbidities, especially mental
health issues, placing them at an increased risk for negative
LEPs interactions (Fuld, 2018; Ofner et al., 2018). Once in
the criminal justice system (CJS), people with autism’s
symptoms are exasperated and communication breaks
down, leading to exceptional stress (Chown, 2010; Crane
et al., 2016; Woodbury-Smith and Dien, 2014, cited in
Holloway et al., 2020), exemplifying the need for diversion
and increased understanding. As a solution, practical train-
ing is needed that is attentive to the needs of the population
with autism (Railey et al., 2020; Salerno and Schuller,
2019; Teagardin et al., 2012), together with increased
usage of Crisis Intervention Teams (CITs) trained in ASD
(Watson and Fulambarker, 2012) and community outreach
that engenders trusting relations (Railey et al., 2020). ASD
is growing in Canada; LEPs must adapt. This article
Corresponding author:
Thomas B. Leydier, PublicSafety, Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University
Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3C5, Canada.
Email: thomleydier@hotmail.com
Original Research Article
International Journal of
Police Science & Management
2022, Vol. 24(4) 427–436
© The Author(s) 2022
Article reuse guidelines:
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DOI: 10.1177/14613557221119117
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