Manchester, Lakehurst Police Create Special Needs Registry

MANCHESTER, NJ — The Manchester and Lakehurst police departments have set up a database where families can let police know about people in their households who have developmental disabilities.

Called "Operation Insight," the voluntary program aims to give police information on those with special needs in the community who need a special response from law enforcement, Capt. Vincent Manco said.

"By knowing who in our community requires a special response and having that information readily available in our law enforcement computer databases, our officers will be better prepared to respond to calls for service with their needs in mind," Manco said.

The purpose of Operation Insight is to collect emergency contact information as well as specific characteristics regarding community members who have special needs, such as if they are nonverbal, are they sensory sensitive, medical issues, and likes and dislikes, he said.

If the person's photo is provided, that will be included in their file to help responding officers identify them.

"With this information, officers will be able to take a proactive approach," Manco said, so they can effectively know how to interact with the person and use the best de-escalation techniques as they protect and serve the communities.

"Research shows that persons with autism and other developmental disabilities are approximately seven times more likely to come into contact with law enforcement than the general population," according to POAC Autism Services. "The actions and or non-responsiveness of people with autism and other special needs are almost always misinterpreted by untrained individuals. Inappropriate social responses and non-contextual emotional outbursts, commonly seen in people with autism and other developmental disabilities, can cause confusion at best and spark conflict in worst-case scenarios. The inability to follow complex or even simple directions during an emergency or crisis situation can lead to serious injury or worse."

Manco said police officers in Manchester and Lakehurst are trained to recognize persons who exhibit characteristics of autism and other developmental disabilities.

"In addition to the training that is provided during the police academy, officers receive in-service training throughout their career that focuses on awareness and methods to effectively interact with persons with special needs," he said.

Police officers also receive up-to-date training focused on de-escalation techniques, he said.

POAC Autism Services in 2019 provided training to Manchester and Lakehurst officers called Autism Shield.

The training focused on five topics:

• making law enforcement officers and first response professionals aware of the condition of autism, its symptoms, and the characteristics commonly seen in individuals who are affected;
• providing information to enhance better recognition of a person with autism and response methods for officers in field situations;
• identifying public safety risks for people who have autism, predictable contacts, and 911 dispatches;
• explaining the problems that a higher-functioning person with autism may have in criminal justice situations;
• and providing methods for law enforcement agencies to proactively work with individuals with autism, their families, and advocacy organizations and apply tolerance and public relations skills when doing so.

The Operation Insight database is a way for law enforcement to work with those with special needs. Participation in the database is voluntary.

Manco said completed forms will be shared with both Manchester and Lakehurst police in the event officers respond for mutual aid.

"The information provided will be kept confidential," Manco said, "and there is no obligation to disclose medical information."

Manchester residents can find the forms on the Community Outreach tab on the Manchester Township Police Department webpage, www.manchesterpolicenj.com.

Completed forms will automatically be sent to the Manchester Township Police Department upon clicking the submit button. Photographs can be mailed to 1 Colonial Drive, Manchester, New Jersey or emailed to specialneeds@manchestertwp.com.

Lakehurst residents can find the forms under the Services tab on the Lakehurst Borough Police Department webpage, www.lakehurstpolice.org. Completed forms, with or without a photograph, can be returned to 530 Union Avenue, Lakehurst, New Jersey or emailed to records_dept@lakehurstpolice.org.

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