Training law enforcement to identify 'unseen health issues' during weekends
In the United States, police encounters with individuals who have invisible disabilities, such as vision or hearing impairments, are often complex and can result in aggressive confrontations. This is due in part to a lack of comprehensive education on recognising and handling such encounters in police training[1].
While some local programs and initiatives exist, nationwide police training standards have not widely adopted similar protocols or specialized education modules focused on invisible disabilities. The Sunflower Lanyard Program, used in places like Portland International Airport (PDX), is an example of a successful local initiative that signals hidden disabilities and helps staff offer better support[2].
Advocates emphasise that understanding invisible disabilities requires empathy, awareness, and tailored communication skills rather than reliance on visible cues like mobility aids[3]. However, current police training often emphasises physical signs or behaviours linked to visible disabilities, with less focus on the nuanced challenges presented by invisible disabilities including sensory impairments like vision or hearing loss[1][3].
This training gap remains a recognised critical issue in police-community interactions related to disability[1]. In Louisiana, a loophole in the law may prevent police from accurately recording the racial identities of drivers stopped for traffic violations[4].
Meanwhile, in a separate report, Brendan Keefe investigates several incidents involving police and people with invisible disabilities, including a visually-impaired juror who was arrested for carrying a collapsible cane that officers mistook for a gun[5].
On a different note, concerns about personal information falling into the wrong hands can be alleviated by freezing your credit[6]. This simple step can help protect against identity theft. Susan Campbell in Phoenix demonstrates the steps to freeze your credit in a separate report[7].
Lastly, a man's story of turning his life around but facing more than a decade in prison for violating probation, nearly four years ago, raises a larger debate about second chances and the fairness of justice being delayed[8]. However, this article does not provide specific details about the man's story or the debate mentioned.
References:
- Police training in the U.S. lacks education on recognizing and handling encounters with individuals who have invisible disabilities
- Sunflower Lanyard Program
- Understanding Invisible Disabilities Requires Empathy, Awareness, and Tailored Communication Skills
- Louisiana Law Loophole Prevents Police from Accurately Recording Racial Identities of Drivers
- Incidents Involving Police and People with Invisible Disabilities
- Freezing Your Credit Can Help Keep Your Personal Information and Money Safe from Fraud
- Steps to Freeze Your Credit to Protect Against Identity Theft
- Man's Story Raises Debate about Second Chances and Fairness of Justice Being Delayed
Science and health-and-wellness intersect in the debated need for mental health education in police training, particularly concerning encounters with individuals who have invisible disabilities. This gap in understanding, as highlighted by incidents involving people with invisible disabilities, such as the visually-impaired juror who was arrested for carrying a collapsible cane, underscores the importance of tailored communication skills and empathy in recognizing and handling such encounters.
