Protecting Community Members
Does someone in your household have autism or other intellectual, developmental, cognitive or communication disabilities? The St. Charles Police Department's SafeGuard – Voluntary Alert System is designed to help first responders better understand and communicate with individuals who may have unique communication, sensory, or behavioral needs during a call for service.
Understanding the Challenge
Some disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder, are not readily apparent during an encounter with law enforcement or other first responders. In some circumstances, an individual may avoid eye contact, have difficulty responding to questions, become overwhelmed by lights or noise, engage in repetitive movements, attempt to leave the area, or communicate in a manner that may be unfamiliar to responders. What begins as a routine interaction could quickly become a stressful experience for the individual while leaving officers uncertain about how to respond appropriately.
A Two-Part Approach
All St. Charles Police Department officers will receive specialized training focused on recognizing common characteristics associated with autism and learning appropriate techniques to support and de-escalate interactions with individuals who may have unique communication, sensory, or behavioral needs.
The Voluntary Alert System will also allow families to submit basic information about their loved one, including a current photograph. This program is intended only to provide supplemental information to assist with communication and response planning. Participation is entirely voluntary.
Participation in this program does not guarantee that first responders will have access to the information in every circumstance, that they will be able to confirm a person’s identity during every encounter, or that any particular outcome will occur during a call for service. The information provided through this program is one tool intended to assist responders in serving all members of our community.
The Department intends to use this information primarily to assist with calls for service and related response needs. The Department will take reasonable measures to protect submitted information and limit unnecessary disclosure. However, participants should understand that records maintained by the City may be subject to applicable state and local record-retention, disclosure, and confidentiality laws. The City will evaluate any request for disclosure in accordance with Missouri law.
Information concerning minors will be handled with heightened care and access will be restricted to authorized personnel, but the City cannot guarantee absolute confidentiality in every circumstance.
Eligibility
If you wish to receive notice when enrollment opens after officer training and policy completion, please email Public Information Officer (PIO) Lt. Daniel Gibbons at daniel.gibbons@stcharlescitymo.gov.
This program is available to residents within St. Charles city limits. If your loved one resides outside St. Charles but regularly visits an address within the city, you may register using the St. Charles location.
Contact Information
For questions regarding this program, please contact:
Lieutenant Daniel Gibbons (Public Information Officer)
Officer Phone: 636-940-4614
Email: Daniel.gibbons@stcharlescitymo.gov
