Policing & Neurodiversity: The Challenges Faced by Frontline Police Officers Facing People with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Keywords:
Autism, neurodiversity, BAME, intersectionality, policeAbstract
This article aims to highlight the challenges frontline police officers face whilst managing incidents associated with people of autism spectrum disorder. The officers often encounter incidents and crime involving neurodiverse community, having to deal with behaviours associated with autism and managing those situations. This remains an under-researched area within academic and professional rigor, despite the frequent media reporting on police management of autism related incidents and the lack of training received by the officers. The article concludes that providing police officers with appropriate training and placement opportunities will equip them to manage and understand the complex needs of people with ASD and associated behaviours efficiently. In a diverse society, the complexities affecting Black and minority ethnic people with neurodiverse conditions could further contribute to the intersectional oppressions leading to distrust in the police. Therefore, emphasising on raising awareness and working alongside external agencies in this field would be greatly beneficial for the police officers to provide better support for the people with autism.
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