A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-3, regarding the feasibility of purchasing sensory bags for Police vehicles as a pilot program

ADDRESS ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO 125 SIXTH STREET, CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS 02142 TELEPHONE [phone removed] WEB www.cambridgepolice.org FACEBOOK facebook.com/CambridgePolice TWITTER twitter.com/CambridgePolice Louis A. DePasquale City Manager Dr. Branville G. Bard, Jr. Police Commissioner To: City Manager, Louis A. DePasquale From: Police Commissioner, Branville G. Bard, Jr. Date: March 11, 2020 Ref.: Awaiting Report #20-3, dated January 27, 2020 Re: Purchasing Sensory Bags for Police Vehicles The purpose of this response is to address Awaiting Report #20-3, dated January 27, 2020, whereby the City Manager was requested to confer with the Police Department on determining the feasibility of purchasing sensory bags for police vehicles as a pilot program and report back to the City Council. We have taken the following measures in response to this order. The Police Department has ordered fifty (50) sensory “On The Go Bags” containing items that can assist officers during interactions with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The bag contains items such as Hearing Safe Noise Protectors and squeezers. These will assist officers in building trusting relationships and reduce confusion and fear. The kits will primarily stay with the patrol car; however, officers may choose to leave an “On The Go Bag” with the child or adult if they deem it necessary. Cambridge Police officers currently receive training on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) during Crisis Intervention Training (CIT), and in 2019 Autism awareness was included as a component of Annual In- service Training. The Department is constantly engaging training to enhance our understanding of ASD and how specifically the sensory kits can assist them, as we recognize that proper training is paramount to a successful interaction. The Department will deploy the kits to all marked units (approximately 40 vehicles) as soon as they arrive and will incorporate the sensory kits into future training. We continue to remain committed to best practices and strategies to achieve positive engagements and public trust between the Department and the community. I hope you find this response satisfactory, and if there are any additional questions, information needed, or concerns regarding this matter, please let me know. Sincerely, Dr. Branville, G. Bard, Jr. Police Commissioner