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February 5, 2008
Los Angeles Police Department
Autism Training Update
Thank you all for your continued interest and support for the ASA Los Angeles Autism Awareness Training for LAPD officers. To date 11 trainings have been held for approximately 550 total LAPD personnel, including officers at roll calls at West LA, Pacific, Van Nuys, Wilshire and North Hollywood Stations. SWAT team members, detectives, and an enthusiastic group of 911 operators have participated in a longer version of the training during their Crisis Intervention Trainings (CIT).
Police Commissioner Anthony Pacheco led the well-attended training at the Wilshire District in December. Commissioner Pacheco confirmed the Department’s commitment to this autism education program and the partnership with ASA Los Angeles. The response to the content and format of the training has been very positive and the officers have been very receptive to the volunteers.
We anticipate that roll call trainings will be scheduled more regularly February through April of 2008. The schedule is based on the availability of LAPD staff. We always have to be accompanied by a Detective who gives the tactical part of the presentation. Up to this point it was tied to Det. Escontrias’ work schedule and his many commitments and we are fortunate to have accomplished what we have with these understandable contraints. We expect to move ahead now because Detective Escontrias has assigned two more detectives from the Mental Evaluation Unit to go with us. As stations and times are selected by the LAPD, we will continue to contact volunteers based on the availability you have indicated on your volunteer form.
Sometimes there will be short notice for a session, so please do not feel bad if you are not available when we call a day before an event! Also know that we are making lots of calls, but if the time or day we need to cover does not match your availability, you will not hear from us! We will be sure to give all our volunteers updates more regularly and keep you informed about our progress in the 19 stations.
We are also planning a safety fair with the LAPD in May. There will be emergency vehicles available for our family members to get comfortable with the procedures and equipment involved in an emergency. We will need volunteers for the event and will keep you posted
Best regards,
Emily Iland and Caroline Wilson