GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The flag flying over the Goodyear Police Department is adorned with a symbol of autism awareness to honor World Autism Month. For the department, it’s more than just a symbol.
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“Our department became Autism Certified,” said Deputy Chief David Farrow.
In the past year, the officers and staff with the department have been certified through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, which teaches law enforcement what Autism is, how to communicate with autistic individuals, and how to best practices when engaging with those with autism.
“We have a lot of interactions with people who have sensory disorders in our community, and in the Valley as a whole,” Farrow said. “So, we're trying to give our officers the best tools and the best knowledge to be able to deal with these situations and have positive interactions.”
Officers are equipped with sensory toys and tools for communicating with someone who is non-communicative. Their training helps officers interact with members of the public who might have more severe symptoms of autism. Farrow has been there when officers have radioed in, asking questions learned in their neurodivergent training.
“The first time I heard it, I was like a proud papa,” said Farrow. “Our officers and our professional staff, I think, have really bought into the training and they're utilizing it in our everyday activities.”
Farrow started training the department four years ago. As a proud father of four, he had a very personal motivation.
“I have an 11-year-old on the autism spectrum,” Farrow said. “He’s probably one of the best things to ever happen to me. It’s really given me some insight and understanding of how people have different interactions in the day and they have different needs. It’s really opened my mind up to different ways of thinking about things.”
Training to better understand an often-misunderstood segment of the population is one more tool that officers now have to serve their community.
“What we seek to do is to provide an opportunity or an environment of inclusion,” Farrow said.
The department issued autism awareness badges that officers can sew on their sleeves during the month of April. They are also giving out awareness challenge coins to members of the community.
The Department also started a Vulnerable Person Database they say helps them better serve the community.
Goodyear residents can fill out the voluntary information that informs officers of any special needs that a resident may have, offering critical information in an emergency.
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