Real-world impact from Preston’s Pursuit for Acceptance autism awareness for law enforcement training
At Preston’s Pursuit for Acceptance, we believe that awareness is just the beginning. Real change happens when officers apply what they’ve learned in the field. One Phoenix Valley sergeant recently shared a powerful example of how our training helped him navigate a challenging traffic stop with insight, restraint, and compassion.
“I’ve had some basic online autism training before, but very little. Preston’s Pursuit for Acceptance’s class was informative and gave me additional insight.”
Several months after attending our course, the sergeant conducted a nighttime traffic stop on a vehicle driving without headlights. The young adult driver handed over a license but couldn’t produce insurance or registration. When asked about the headlights, he said he didn’t know how to operate them. He then stated the car wasn’t his—and when asked whose it was, responded:“I don’t answer questions.”
That same response followed a question about weapons in the vehicle. Understandably, the sergeant’s concern escalated. But instead of jumping to conclusions, he relied on his training.
“At this point I began to see indications I may be dealing with someone on the spectrum.”
The stop wasn’t smooth—but it didn’t spiral. The sergeant made a difficult call with clarity and care. The encounter ended with a positive interaction between the young man, his mother, and law enforcement. They were provided with resources from our training to help bridge communication gaps—and left feeling respected and understood.
“Having been through your training definitely made this a better contact than it would have been.”
💡 Why It Matters
This story is a reminder that the right training can turn a potentially volatile situation into a moment of understanding. Our mission is to equip officers with the tools to recognize neurodivergence, respond appropriately, and build trust in moments that could otherwise escalate.
If your agency is ready to take the next step in autism awareness and response training, we’re here to help.
📩 Contact us at: info@prestonspursuit.org to start working together to provide this same training and results for your agency. We have a law enforcement tract and a Fire/EMS track for your staff to make a difference.
