Law enforcement is a job unlike any other but in some regards it also operates like other businesses. One of the ways that law enforcement is similar to other businesses is that new policies and programs can be adopted and implemented that ideally changes and improves upon a certain aspect or aspects of the job moving forward.

Well law enforcement in Rockland County has recently announced the incorporation of a new program introduced to aid law enforcement throughout the state of New York and it appears that many others are also getting on board.

Blue Envelope Program in New York State

The new program that has recently been introduced to law enforcement in New York State is called the "Blue Envelope" Program. The Blue Envelope Program is an initiative that was introduced last week by the New York State Sheriff's Association and was designed to improve the interactions between law enforcement and drivers with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

According to the NYSSA "this program helps reduce misunderstandings, lowers anxiety, and fosters a more empathetic and safer environment for everyone". The program is also not just being adopted by law enforcment in the state of New York but in recent years has also been introduced to states across the United States.

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Shortly after the announcement of the Blue Envelope Program by the NYSSA, the Rockland County Sheriff's Department announced they would be adopting the program themselves. In the announcement Rockland County's Sheriff Falco further emphasized why the program is important and how it'll benefit both law enforcement and those they interact with stating....

There are many adult drivers who are living with autism. A driver’s physical movements or verbal responses which would normally be appropriate during a traffic stop may be beyond an autistic driver’s control.....

New York State Sheriff's Association via Facebook
New York State Sheriff's Association via Facebook
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Sheriff Falco would also state how failures in communication between law enforcement and those with autism have in the past lead to "unfortunate incidents with bad outcomes".

Sheriff Falco concluded that those interested in receiving a blue envelope need only contact his office at 845-638-5401. In addition, the NYSSA is currently working to supply blue envelopes to sheriff's offices and departments throughout the entire state.

How Blue Envelope Works

One of the interesting things about the Blue Envelope Program is the rather simple way it's designed to work. Upon obtaining a blue envelope from your local sheriff's office, one would put the same documents they would be asked for in a traffic stop situation, meaning license, registration, and insurance, inside the envelope.

Rockland County Sheriff's Office via Facebook
Rockland County Sheriff's Office via Facebook
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The Blue Envelope also has printed directions on both its front and back for both a law enforcement officer and the individual with ASD to follow if or when a traffic stop situation occurs.

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Effectively the Blue Envelope is a tool. It's tool that though simplistic is deigned to enhance and effectively promote communication between law enforcement and the individual they are pulling over. Traffic stop situations can cause anxiety for both law enforcement and whoever it is they are pulling over and effective, efficient communication is the best way to ease any of those anxieties for everyone involved.

The announcement of the Blue Envelope Program in New York also means that departments across the state will soon be training their deputies in order to properly handle a traffic stop situation when dealing with an individual who has autism.

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