LEAGUE CITY — The League City Police Department says its officers and dispatchers receive specialized training to better recognize and respond to interactions involving people on the autism spectrum.
In an interview with KGTX 7, Officer Jose Ortega said all officers complete a 40-hour Crisis Intervention Training program, known as CIT, which includes instruction on recognizing developmental and cognitive disabilities, including autism.
The training focuses on helping officers identify behaviors that may otherwise be misunderstood during calls for service, traffic stops or emergency situations.
Ortega said common sensory triggers — including flashing lights, sirens, physical touch and rapid questioning — can quickly become overwhelming for someone on the spectrum.
Once officers recognize those signs, he said they are trained to slow the interaction, use active listening skills and adjust their approach to reduce stress.
“Not everyone is the same,” Ortega said, emphasizing that every encounter may require a different communication style.
The department also encourages families to communicate important details to dispatchers when calling for help, including whether a loved one has autism and any known triggers officers should avoid.
Ortega said that information allows responding officers to modify their approach before arriving on scene, including limiting lights, sirens or the number of officers involved.
The department also promotes its Guardian Program, which allows families of people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, as well as elderly residents, to voluntarily register identifying information that can help officers reunite loved ones during emergencies.
In addition to patrol officers, dispatchers also receive specialized training to help identify situations involving developmental disabilities and relay critical information to responding units.
The department said body camera and dash camera footage from these incidents is reviewed to improve future responses and reinforce best practices.
