West Chester Police Gain Training In Responding To Autism

WEST CHESTER, PA — A young man from Malvern helped West Chester police officers better prepare for encounters with people who have autism.

Alex Mann has visited dozens of police departments regionally, and last week spoke to the West Chester Borough Police Department.

West Chester Borough Police Chief James Morehead explained the training on autism was a way for officers to better themselves, as is always the department's aim.

Mann, who has autism, "gave fantastic examples of how loud talking and police lights could cause someone with autism to exhibit nervous behavior," the police chief said.

Morehead said officers engage all members of the community, including those with autism.

"Our officers are constantly training and just in the past 14 days have received Bias, Basic Negotiating, and Autism Awareness trainings. I am a firm believer that failing to train is training to fail," said Morehead.

Morehead added, "Officers walked away from this training with additional tools to help them do their job."