Criminal Justice System

I might regret this but I'm going to stick my head above the parapet here. I'm a police detective and am currently waiting for my autism assessment. I've taken a lot of interest in this particular post for obvious reasons and wanted to share my experience. Firstly, not all police are the same. I agree that we do not receive proper training around ASD and that many officers will not recognise this and not act sympathetically. However I will say that whenever I have interviewed someone with ASD I utilise the Appropriate Adult Service and they always send a representative who will talk to the person before interview and sit with them throughout to make sure they understand and that the interview is conducted fairly. This is standard practice when dealing with ASD, mental health or under 18s and not only me but all my colleagues follow the same approach. I did notice in this conversation that no one mentioned the Appropriate Adult Service. In relation to solicitors, in my experience, they themselves will request an appropriate adult if the person detained has any issues with ASD and some, although not trained, are very good at identifying when it would not be appropriate to interview without one. With interviewing I have been trained to interview suspects and victims. We are NOT trained to trick people or put words in their mouth and I'm really saddened that this has been suggested. My job is not only to prove an offence but also to disprove if there is clear lack of involvement. It would be morally wrong and unethical of me to "put words in someone's mouth" to make them look guilty. I do not do this and none of my colleagues do either. I gather evidence and present it to the CPS. I do not manipulate or fabricate evidence. I have no reason to do this and would not benefit from doing so.

I agree that the justice system has many flaws and the way in which mental health is perceived does need a lot of work through training and funding. There is not one organisation at fault and it is a problem with the entire system. I welcome any questions around police involvement and ASD but will not respond to abuse. Take care everyone. 

I might regret this but I'm going to stick my head above the parapet here. I'm a police detective and am currently waiting for my autism assessment. I've taken a lot of interest in this particular post for obvious reasons and wanted to share my experience. Firstly, not all police are the same. I agree that we do not receive proper training around ASD and that many officers will not recognise this and not act sympathetically. However I will say that whenever I have interviewed someone with ASD I utilise the Appropriate Adult Service and they always send a representative who will talk to the person before interview and sit with them throughout to make sure they understand and that the interview is conducted fairly. This is standard practice when dealing with ASD, mental health or under 18s and not only me but all my colleagues follow the same approach. I did notice in this conversation that no one mentioned the Appropriate Adult Service. In relation to solicitors, in my experience, they themselves will request an appropriate adult if the person detained has any issues with ASD and some, although not trained, are very good at identifying when it would not be appropriate to interview without one. With interviewing I have been trained to interview suspects and victims. We are NOT trained to trick people or put words in their mouth and I'm really saddened that this has been suggested. My job is not only to prove an offence but also to disprove if there is clear lack of involvement. It would be morally wrong and unethical of me to "put words in someone's mouth" to make them look guilty. I do not do this and none of my colleagues do either. I gather evidence and present it to the CPS. I do not manipulate or fabricate evidence. I have no reason to do this and would not benefit from doing so.

I agree that the justice system has many flaws and the way in which mental health is perceived does need a lot of work through training and funding. There is not one organisation at fault and it is a problem with the entire system. I welcome any questions around police involvement and ASD but will not respond to abuse. Take care everyone. 

In my case I was asked to sign a statement that gave no context and was incomplete , so could be used in court to indicate something completely different to what happened. In my view this is a trick.

The police certainly did lots to intimidate and wrong foot me.

At no time was I offered any appropriate adult. I was dissuaded from speaking to a solicitor and when I insisted was only allowed 2 or 3 minutes alone with him. I was only offered the duty solicitor and not informed I could see any other solicitor 

www.olliers.com/.../

the duty solicitor was friendly with the police and did not advise me appropriately. the solicitor had no understanding of autism

I believe no one should be questioned without being allowed an amount of time with a truely independent solicitor , for at least 20 minutes. The important facts should be given including, the potential maximum sentence, the likely questions, the significance of refusing to answer questions etc

i feel I was tricked and trapped by police questions, for an horrendous charge which I was found not guilty of.

nowhere in the system was my autism ever noted. Particularly with regard to my Mens Rea, which was unusual and made out to be falsehood 

most people on the asd spectrum are unaware and there are no screening questions done

Then in court the techniques are to withhold certain vital evidence and get the judge and jury to disregard aspects of the defence story.