Law Enforcement Responses to Disabled Americans: Promising Approaches for Protecting Public Safety

On April 29, Rebecca Cokley, National Council on Disability (NCD) Executive Director, testified in a Hearing of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Human Rights. 

After offering introductory information, Ms. Cokley offered facts and myths about disability and crime, and went on to offer information on improved cultural competence through law enforcement trainings. Her testimony included the following facts that VTrailers know well:

"In the latest data released by the Bureau of Justice Statistics of the U.S. Department of Justice, people with disabilities were victims of violent crimes at nearly three times the rate of those without disabilities.  In 2012 alone, 1.3 million nonfatal violent crimes were perpetrated against people with disabilities ages 12 or older.  And despite what some may conclude in light of recent tragedies, statistics bear out the fact that people with disabilities are far more likely to be the victims of crimes than the perpetrators of them, and therefore in need of supportive relationships and understanding with law enforcement, fears and assumptions about people with all types of disabilities have instead contributed to unfortunate and at times tragic consequences."

Ms. Cokley's recommendations included

• All law enforcement, criminal justice, and correctional personnel, including prison guards and probation officers, as well as people working in victim assistance programs, should submit to mandatory training that sensitizes these public servants to recognize certain disabilities; creates awareness of the unique needs of certain groups of people with disabilities; and informs about specific requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other laws that protect the civil and human rights of people with disabilities.
• People with a variety of disabilities and community organizations representing them should be included in the development and facilitation of such trainings as well as in all policy and program development at the local, state, and federal levels.
• People with disabilities, particularly those with psychiatric disabilities or ID/DD should also receive training to learn about their rights when in situations involving law enforcement, and Congress should increase funding for such peer-managed support and training programs.

Building Resiliency in Child Abuse Organizations 

To maintain a healthy perspective, it is important that child-serving professionals learn how to build their own individual resiliency, but it is also the ethical responsibility of the organization's management to create an environment that supports and encourages this critical strength. The benefits of a resilient staff include

•    improved productivity,
•    deeper commitment to continuing work,
•    healthier, well-centered staff and volunteers,
•    reduced employee turnover and absenteeism,
•    less burnout and secondary trauma,
•    a healthier work environment,
•    improved morale, perceived coworker and supervisor support, and
•    decreased negative emotions and perceptions of themselves and their work.