West Virginia law enforcement officers to receive autism spectrum disorder training

A statewide training initiative designed to provide comprehensive training to law enforcement officers on safe interactions with people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder, is set to launch June 13. This Safe Interactions for Law Enforcement and Persons with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities training is being offered in partnership with West Virginia University, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources and the West Virginia State Police.

The four-hour training will be held statewide and is available at no cost to all current active-duty law enforcement officers. Participating officers may receive four in-service education credits for their participation.

Intellectual or developmental disabilities are characterized by significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior, which covers many everyday social and practical skills, impacting learning, reasoning, problem solving and other cognitive processes. Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disability characterized by varying degrees of impairment related to atypical behaviors and patterns of interest, social interactions and communication. This training seeks to reduce negative interactions and adverse outcomes by increasing awareness of intellectual or developmental disabilities with a focus on autism spectrum disorder.

“The need for law enforcement officer training on autism spectrum disorder is critical for 21st century policing,” State Police First Sergeant K.G. Murray said. “As parents of a young adult and teen with ASD, it is the hope of my wife and I that ASD awareness training is a highly effective educational tool to all law enforcement in West Virginia, where most of our encounters with those with ASD are positive. Through this training West Virginia can be the light for the rest of the nation to follow when it comes to ASD training and education for law enforcement and all first responders.” 

Training will be held at the following locations:

• Berkeley County: June 13, 14, 15 and 16

• Marion County: June 14 and 15

Find the most current training schedule, location and registration.

The Office of Health Affairs within West Virginia University Health Sciences collaborates with West Virginia-based agencies and organizations, providing data analytic support, program evaluation expertise and technical assistance, all under the auspices of professional program management and development that allows for greater departmental efficiencies and improved outcomes.