Improving the Support of Autistic Individuals Detained in Police Custody

Autism Spectrum Conditions ('ASCs') are lifelong developmental conditions characterised by differences in social communication, interaction and imagination (NICE, 2011). While autistic individuals are no more likely than the general population to commit a criminal offence, they are seven times more likely to come into contact with police officers (Debbaudt & Rothman, 2001). Recent research illustrated that autistic individuals have negative experiences in police custody which can lead to significant personal and legal consequences such as miscarriages of justice and long-term emotional trauma (see Hocking, 2018). This is often attributable to: i) difficulties understanding their arrest and detention; ii) a lack of accessible information about the custody process; iii) the demands of the custody environment which can lead to heightened anxiety and; iv) a desire to escape police custody which can affect their ability to participate in the custody process (see Hocking, 2018). To improve the support of autistic individuals in police custody, this research identified specific areas of change including: i) changes to police practice/training; ii) accessible information; iii) adjustments to the custody environment and/or provision of sensory accommodations, and; iv) support from someone who understands Autism (see Hocking, 2018).

While I have successfully worked with Nottinghamshire police to improve the support of autistic individuals in police custody, Autism training varies in terms of quality and provision across forces in England and Wales (Beardon et al., 2018). Having delivered training sessions based on the findings of my research to detention officers in Nottinghamshire, it became apparent that further work needed to be done to make Autism training appropriate and relevant to the needs of police officers and autistic individuals. It was from this foundation that I developed a network of autistic individuals, police officers from Nottinghamshire and academics across England to co-produce training materials and a tool-kit for police officers to help them better support autistic individuals in police custody.

This fellowship aims to build upon this research and enable the researcher to translate these recommendations into practical changes which benefit both police forces and autistic individuals through the development of improved research skills and engagement with a wider interdisciplinary network of stakeholders and academics. In particular, the main aims of this fellowship are to engage with autistic individuals, academics and police forces outside Nottingshamshire to improve the quality of Autism training in England and Wales and publicise findings of the research to increase awareness of the need to improve the support of autistic individuals in police custody on a national and international level. A focus group will be held with key stakeholders with a view to co-producing an article on the creation of these training materials. To increase awareness among a wider audience and identify opportunities for further collaboration, the researcher shall also attend the Law Enforcement and Public Health conference ('LEPH') and the International Society for Autism Research conference ('INSAR') to publicise the research to international audiences and a workshop on Autism and Policing will also be hosted at the University of Nottingham. The fellowship will also pilot the training materials with a view to understanding the potential impact on police officers knowledge of Autism and laying the foundation for further research into the effectiveness of Autism training as an intervention.