Autism Decal Project launches in Richmond
Posted August 16, 2024 3:48 pm.
Last Updated August 16, 2024 8:46 pm.
A new initiative in Richmond is aimed at fostering safer interactions between law enforcement, and autistic and neurodiverse people.
The Autism Decal Project is the product of a partnership between the BC Association of Chiefs of Police, the BC Law Enforcement Diversity Network, and the Pacific Autism Family Network.
As part of the initiative, decals are distributed in communities that are taking part, for people to display on vehicles and homes “to indicate the presence of an autistic or neurodiverse individual.”
Corp. Adriana O’Malley with the Richmond RCMP says this can be crucial in high-stress situations.
“This type of decal can help us know or understand who we may be presented with or the type of behaviours, so that our officers can employ different techniques to help deescalate or interact with this person,” she explained.
“We as police officers receive additional training that help us be informed and better understand some of the complexities of behaviours we may be dealing with with different individuals within our community. This program helps to serve as an additional visual cue for our officers so they’re aware of some of the behaviours that they may be presented with.”
O’Malley says any tool that can help officers better understand a person they’re interacting with “can go a long way.”
“When we know that somebody is neurodiverse it helps better inform the way we interact or understand what is happening in that interaction,” she added.
People are asked to place the decal on the rear bumper of their vehicle, to the left of their licence plate. At home, people are asked to place the sticker by the doorbell.
The decals are available at the Richmond RCMP’s detachment and community policing offices.
