Full Notification

The Morgan Hill Police Department is proud to announce its partnership with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards for Autism awareness. IBCCES is an internationally recognized organization focused on training professionals in cognitive disorders and special needs.

In February of this year, officers completed a 2-hour training course focused on understanding and reacting to behaviors associated with individuals with autism. The autism awareness training is in conjunction with the Crisis Intervention Training (CIT), which officers receive within their first year of being on the job. Given our community's vast diversity, having an enhanced framework and specific strategies to meet the needs of individuals with autism is a priority for our department. The training provided officers with new resources to respond with understanding and the ability to de-escalate tense situations.

Training topics included communication, delayed response, specific verbal and non-verbal signs, sensory overload, and de-escalation techniques. Recognizing specific training areas to enhance our officers' understanding of autism will help build trust and legitimacy with our community.

The Morgan Hill Police Department believes training, education, understanding, and accountability will allow officers to be more inclusive of the broader community we serve.