HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHP) — Pennsylvania State Police has started offering resources to people with disabilities to help with potential communication barriers during encounters with law enforcement.
Blue envelopes are available at local state police stations. These envelopes are designed to contain information like communication preferences, sensory needs and other considerations that could help an officer, according to a release.
State police also recommend putting important documents inside of the envelope, such as insurance and registration paperwork, during a traffic stop.
One side of the envelope has a checklist where you can indicate whether you’re verbal or nonverbal, if you’re on the autism spectrum, if you may have dementia symptoms, and if you have communication challenges.
The other side of the envelope has guidelines for both the driver and the officer during a traffic stop.
“The ability to communicate effectively is critical to fostering, understanding, and building trust during any law enforcement encounter,” acting state police commissioner Lt. Col. George L. Bivens said in a release. “The Blue Envelope Program provides our members with another valuable resource to better understand the communication needs of all individuals and help make those interactions safer for everyone.”
The program was launched one week after a deaf man, Darion Thompson, was reportedly shot and killed by troopers who were serving a warrant in Washington County.
According to state police, Thompson was holding a gun and did not comply with verbal commands to drop his weapon, according to state police.
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