Police ‘need training’ to improve treatment of people with autism

Police officers should be helped to show greater sensitivity and awareness when dealing with autistic adults, according to a groundbreaking study that found most had never had any training on the condition.

Nearly seven out of 10 autistic adults who have come into contact with the police were left troubled by the encounter, and three-quarters of the parents of autistic children have been left upset by their experiences, according to the research.

The study, based on interviews with autistic adults conducted by academics at the University of Bath and at City University, London, found that 69% were unhappy with how they had been treated by police officers. Many recalled that, at the time, they had feared they were being discriminated against. Others reported a lack of clarity over what was happening and expressed frustration that things had not been properly explained to them.

A majority (74%) of parents of autistic children were also critical of the way their children had been dealt with. “My son now hates police because of the way he was treated,” one parent told the academics.

There are more than 700,000 people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the UK and there is evidence that more people with the condition are coming into contact with police and other public servants. In recent years there have been several examples of autistic people being Tasered by police or restrained using pepper spray.

In 2012 a number of police officers were judged to have acted “hastily” and to have been “ill-informed” after they had restrained a 16-year-old boy with severe ASD and epilepsy. A report by the Independent Commission on Mental Health and Policing highlighted the “lack of mental health awareness and knowledge among staff and officers” and stressed that there needed to be “sufficient information and training on communication skills for people with mental health issues or learning disabilities, including autism”.

However, there are no figures for autistic involvement in the criminal justice system. Detecting the condition is difficult. Signs of ASD can include problems with social interaction, such as avoiding eye contact; issues with language and communication; and obsessional interests.

One autistic person interviewed by the academics said: “I was concerned that my lack of eye contact would make me look dishonest.”

The parent of an autistic child said the environment in the police station was “scary and unfamiliar”. “It was also highly distracting due to a new environment. My son could not focus because he wanted to talk about police cars and explore the rooms, hidden cameras, etc. This affected his ability to cope with the interview.”

Network Autism, which offers guidance to police, says “sensory-perceptual difficulties can make things like fluorescent lights, flashing lights, sirens and busy environments almost impossible to cope with. Experiencing sensations differently than others, disrupted routines and not knowing what to expect can lead to distraction, anxiety and fear.”

A number of autistic people who took part in the study said they had been interviewed in an inappropriate physical environment and had received a lack of appropriate support. This led to them becoming stressed, triggering breakdowns in communication with police officers.

Of almost 400 officers questioned for the research, only 37% had been trained in how to treat autistic people. “Contact with police can be a stressful event,” said Dr Laura Crane of City University, co-author of the study.

“As a result, police officers, especially those in frontline roles, need to be aware of possible signs of autism. Autistic people are a vulnerable group within the criminal justice system. High-quality training and support for police who may encounter autistic people within their role will ensure that the experience for all involved improves to the necessary level.”

Of the police officers interviewed, more than one in five said they had been left dissatisfied with how they had interacted with autistic individuals. Many expressed frustration that they had not received autism awareness training.

Network Autism advises: “Remember that difficulties with communication are at the centre of autism, and take steps to ensure that you communicate clearly and unambiguously. Give the person plenty of time to answer questions, and avoid using speech that could confuse, such as metaphors, sayings or leading questions.”

Some police forces have created less hostile environments for interviewing vulnerable people. But Dr Katie Maras of the University of Bath’s department of psychology, a co-author of the study, said it was clear that more forces needed to train officers on the issues confronting autistic people.

“These findings highlight how police perceptions of their professional experiences with autistic witnesses, suspects and victims differ from those of the autism community. It is essential police feel better equipped with role-specific training about autism, and that they have the institutional support that allows them to flexibly adapt their procedures in order to better support people with autism,” she said.