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Gilbert police earns certification in working with autistic community

The Gilbert Police Department received a certification after being trained in communicating with and responding to autistic community members.

The department achieved a Certified Autism Center designation from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, which is given to organizations that have trained 80% or more of its public-facing team members in working with autistic community members.  
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Gilbert police earns certification in working with autistic community

Posted
Tom Blodgett
The Gilbert Police Department received a certification after being trained in communicating with and responding to autistic community members.

The department achieved a Certified Autism Center designation from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, which is given to organizations that have trained 80% or more of its public-facing team members in working with autistic community members.  

The department announced the certification in a release from April 14.

“We value our relationship and trust with the community and this training provides valuable knowledge for our employees to better understand the needs of the autistic community,” Gilbert police Chief Michael Soelberg said in the release. “We look forward to finding new opportunities to connect with our community to further enhance the professionalism of our department.”  

The IBCCES’s law enforcement program covers topics such as common signs or behaviors that someone may be autistic, empathy and understanding, sensory sensitivities, communication tips, safety concerns such as elopement and drowning, and other scenario-based best practices.

Lt. Chris Timmins, a nearly 20-year veteran of the department and the father to a child on the spectrum, said he can relate to family fears for their child when the child goes out on his or her own. He said in the release the training will help first responders to recognize the intricacies involved in working with the individuals.


“We can utilize this training to not only help individuals who are overstimulated or stressed, but also to communicate with them and their family members during a time of crisis,” he said. “Our dedication to being a diverse, equitable and inclusive municipality shows with the support from our leadership in providing us with this training to make our community safe for everyone.”

Gilbert police joins other law enforcement departments in the East Valley in obtaining the certification to give families with autism and other sensory disorders proper accommodation.

IBCCES board Chair Myron Pincomb said in the release the organization is excited to provide the program to Gilbert police.

“They’re passionate about serving their community in the best way possible, and we’re glad we can help in this way,” said. “It’s great to see so many committed professionals in Gilbert, as well as Mesa, Tempe, Queen Creek, and others coming together to truly make a difference and continue the community initiative that was started back in 2019.”  

Gilbert police's effort to obtain the CAC certification began in 2021 and was achieved less than a year later.

“Being an autism-certified police department illustrates to our community and those who are autistic that they can trust that the Gilbert Police Department is properly trained when serving this growing, yet underserved community,” Gilbert police officer Levi Leyba said in the release. “We are excited to be able to help build a more inclusive community, ensuring the safety of all involved.”  

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