Baltimore County Police autism training now includes practical response kits for newly sworn officers. The department issued specialized backpacks to all 55 members of its 177th recruit class on July 15. The initiative is Maryland’s first program of this kind for an entire police academy class, according to the Baltimore Chronicle.
Each backpack contains communication and sensory tools designed for encounters involving autistic people. The kits were prepared through a partnership with the Hussman Institute for Autism.
What Baltimore County officers received
The backpacks are intended to remain inside patrol vehicles. Officers can use them when speech, sensory overload, or anxiety complicates an emergency response.
Each kit includes:
- communication boards;
- sentence starters;
- quick-reference guidance;
- sensory and calming items;
- tools for supporting non-speaking people.
These materials can reduce confusion during a crisis. They also give officers alternatives to repeated verbal commands.
The objective is not to diagnose autism at the scene. Officers are being taught to recognize communication differences and slow the encounter.
Why autism response tools matter
Chief Robert McCullough told the recruits that every resident deserves professionalism, compassion, and understanding.
“To further ensure you are equipped to serve all members of our community,” McCullough said during the swearing-in ceremony.
Autistic behavior can be misread as resistance or noncompliance. Limited eye contact, repetitive movements, delayed responses, or silence may intensify an encounter.
Research has documented frequent contact between autistic people and law enforcement. One study found that 53% of surveyed autistic adults reported at least four lifetime police interactions. Other research found police contact among roughly 20% of autistic young adults before age 21.
| Tool | Intended use |
|---|---|
| Communication board | Supports people who cannot answer verbally |
| Sentence starter | Helps officers ask clear, simple questions |
| Sensory item | May reduce distress or sensory overload |
| Reference sheet | Provides immediate response guidance |
The tools do not replace professional training. They give officers practical options during fast-moving situations.
How the kits may de-escalate encounters
Hussman Institute outreach director Beth Benevides said stressful situations can cause autistic people to be misunderstood.
“We’re trying to equip officers with tools that they can have in their cars,” Benevides told WMAR-2 News.
She described one case involving an autistic man separated from his caregiver. Officers found him distressed and hitting himself.
The man received a backpack and selected the item he needed. Benevides said the materials helped bring calm to the encounter.
Her central request to officers was simple: take more time. A slower approach can prevent fear from becoming a confrontation.
Baltimore County Police said the partnership with the institute will continue. Future recruit classes are expected to receive similar preparation.
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