Information for Law Enforcement and Magistrates

Most law enforcement officers lack a basic understanding of mental retardation and other intellectual disabilities.  That lack of understanding often leads to communication difficulties between officers and people with intellectual disabilities, increasing the potential for unequal justice.  Law enforcement officers receive little training on how to recognize or accommodate intellectual disabilities.  In fact, people with intellectual disabilities have often been mistaken for someone who is drunk, on drugs, or who has mental illness.  The materials in this section will not make law enforcement officers experts in the area of intellectual disabilities, but will assist officers in identifying and accommodating people with disabilities that may not have physical features. It is not the intention of the Project to promote allowing a person with an intellectual disability to avoid accepting responsibility and facing appropriate consequences for behavior. The Project works to ensure due process for people with intellectual disabilities..

Power Point Presentation with Speaker Notes

Training for Law Enforcement Officers on People with Intellectual Disabilities- Law enforcement officers face serious challenges in their routine duties that can only be compounded by a growing population of people with intellectual disabilities living in the community.  This material endeavors to describe with accuracy the traits of people with intellectual disabilities with particular emphasis on Autism and Traumatic Brain Injury as two of the fastest growing populations in our State.  It is imperative that officers understand the scope and consequences of this problem.

Training for Magistrates on People with Intellectual Disabilities-Magistrates play a critical role in the criminal process.  Although they see the detainee for only a few minutes, they must determine whether the individual will spend time in jail or be released on bail, bond, or to someone's care.  Statistics show overwhelmingly that when a person with an intellectual disability is incarcerated, that person is victimized.  This material hopes to provide enough information to cause a magistrate to question the individual before making final determination on his incarceration. 

Accompanying Handouts

Police Card-This card is printed on both sides and has Hints for Communicating with People with Cognitive Disabilities on one side and Traits Often Seen on the other.  It is designed to fit in a uniform shirt pocket. 

Common Traits of People with Intellectual Disabilities AND Screening Questions For Intellectual Disabilities- Basic traits that are common are provided with a short screening tool that will help identify intellectual disabilities in a person being questioned.

Resource Guide-This booklet was designed and written specifically for judges, attorneys and others who may become involved professionally with people with cognitive disabilities.  In addition to reinforcing information provided in the above documents, it offers resources that may be contacted for additional information and for assistance when communication becomes a problem. 

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