Accommodations with law enforcement

[Pocket86]

I am 29 years old and was diagnosed with Aspergers almost a year ago. Like many teens, I got my drivers license at 16.

I had a first time experience tonight. I was pulled over on my way home from church. (I was in my driveway.) It was nothing serious; just a headlight not working. I was given a warning only. I was ok with that. However, the bright, blue, spinning lights on the cop car sent me into a meltdown. I managed to hold it together until the cop was in his car but I don't remember much after that.

My question is: what rights do I have as a person with a disability? Is it acceptable for me to ask the officer to turn off the lights after informing him of being an Aspie? Thanks for the advice.

 

[Beverly]

You can inform them that you are an Aspie and, tell them the lights trigger a meltdown but, if it's a roadside stop, those lights are making both the officer's and your vehicle more visible and, many states have laws that people must move to the other lane or slow down when passing vehicles with flashing lights so, he may have to leave them on. You could ask that he stand and speak with you so that your back is toward his car, that might help.

 

[unsurewhattoname]

I have a card I got for free saying I have an Autism Spectrum Condition (seems to be ASC not ASD here) that can be given to the police/emergency services but I have no idea what it does giving them it. I assume they have training which may include that we'rd likely to be sensitive to their lights. I think it sounds reasonable that they turn off their lights and instead put their hazards, after all that's what normal cars do.

 

[Mr. Cat]

I got pulled over for the first time this year because I was starting to have a shutdown while I was driving and ran through a yellow light (which turned red just as I was about to pass the intersection). I was just trying to get home before it got worse. Then it tuned into a meltdown when I saw the lights and I was shaking and crying and couldn't comprehend anything the cop was saying. Luckily, someone was in the car with me and could speak for me. He did some test to determine if I might be high too.

 

[Judge]

This actually strikes me as a rather complex question. Law enforcement officers have a specific outline of protocols to deal with relative to the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). However it's for arresting or interrogating officers from the Department of Justice- not intended as an outline for the civil rights of those being interrogated or arrested.

http://www.ada.gov/q&a_law.htm

If one is asking what their rights are in real time relative to being stopped by a member of law enforcement, I'd be inclined to say "none at all" relative to the complexities of real time on the situation as a whole. Apparently the American Civil Liberties Union concurs. That there is no actual police exception to the Americans With Disabilities Act.

https://www.aclu.org/blog/speakeasy/there-no-police-exception-americans-disabilities-act

 

[DogwoodTree]

Came across this article today...Maryland recruits are now required to take a 4-hr special training course on developmental disabilities.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/howard/bs-md-autism-police-training-20160117-story.html

 

[Tom]

I would get used to blinking lights.

 

[Judge]

I would get used to blinking lights.

Some 39 years ago my college roommate (an auxiliary sheriff's deputy) told me under no uncertain terms not to resist arrest. Otherwise they can and will kill you if deemed necessary on the spot in real time.

Bottom line: Don't anticipate any law enforcement officer in real time cutting you any slack over how you may appear to them. No matter what laws or civil rights may exist.

 

[unsurewhattoname]

I doubt they'll kill you if you ask them nicely if turning their flashing lights off is a possibility as you're sensitive to them.

 

[LogicalMind]

Politely indicate in the beginning "Forgive me officer, I have been formally diagnosed with a form of autism, so I would appreciate any forgiveness in my inability to communicate effectively...and your blue light on your car is unfortunately causing me to have somewhat of a mild epileptic/socialy anxiety attack. I would dearly appreciate it if it could be turned off temporarily, because it is affecting my psychological diagnosis... I am having a panic attack/phobia from it...and it is shutting down my thoughts/speech... We could continue the conversation momentarily once it is turned off...but it is really making it difficult for me" I find that if you memorize what you would like to say before hand...and talk calmly and friendly in a gentle but firm voice while indicating that you are autistic, people can be a tiny bit accomadating