National Police Autism Association

Hi,

A hello to everyone and a quick plug - we are the National Police Autism Association, a new indepdendent body supporting police officers, staff and families affected by ASC, AS and other hidden conditions such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, AD(H)D, depression etc. We also promote best practices for working with members of public affected by autism.

If you've ever wondered whether there are police officers with AS, the answer is yes... there are many aspects of a career in policing that are well-suited to an aspie, but some that are pretty tough as well.

We have a website, www.npaa.org.uk , and a Twitter account "Police Autism UK" @npaa_uk . We're also on Facebook and LinkedIn (search for NPAA). It would be great if you could give us a follow - we tweet about all sorts of things related to autism, AS, equal opportunities and anything "neurodivergent".

Looking forward to taking part in the NAS web forum

  • I believe that the Thread which you mention may be the same one which I mentioned... And the other things which you list in the post to which I here reply, I do not do/have any of these matters/concerns (Although I may "mutter" of late, yet I cover it by pretending to scratch my nose)...I did say that my Cynosure Effect was LIFELONG...

    (An Unrelated matter. FINALLY, it shows up in the side-box (which quickly disappears upon my device)... that "2 members are here"... I have never seen that before, and I finally know what it is like to "do online chat"... but, I hate to seem rude, I must admit to not liking it at all, and so I may sign off now... sorry very much...my own Cowardice/Autism...!?) )

  • The items I mentioned.

    There was another thread here a few months ago, where someone with a backpack was trailed by store detectives.

    An unsteady or drunk walk always attracts attention.

    Scruffy or unconventional dress attracts attention.  I have known people who shop in their slippers and go out in their sleepwear with only jacket on top.

    Talking to oneself. (I do it) attracts attention.

    Hygiene if bad causes one to smell bad.  Again i have known people who wear the same dirty jacket every day for five years.  Or not wash for weeks and smell of urine.

  • Greetings. I am not good at "chat", but I am still online, and so attempt a straight-away reply (yet another new experience for me)...

    Of all matters listed there, I would only not know about the 'way I walk'. What I list - concerning Security Guards (and CUTE Children)... all of it has always happened to me, for my *entire* life, no matter how I dress, act, speak, or, um, as you mention it, "hygiene"(?)... (E.g. I have had people driving past me in cars, and if bored, they may throw something in passing). It is the CYNOSURE effect...

    Perhaps you bring to light something which I did not think to point out, however: Not ALL of these things happen ALL of the time ALL at once --- it is different for different days and persons...

  • What do you do to draw attention to yourself.

    Is it the way you dress?

    Is it the way you walk?

    Is it hygiene?

    Do you shop with a back pack?

    Do you talk to yourself?

  • Greetings again. The "Avalanche" which I thought might occur, did not occur (yet?). Thus I attempt to resume, here...

    Given the answers to my previous dilemma, I shall discontinue that topic, and attempt the other topic which I stated instead. Here goes...

    I would like to know what position the LAW (yourselves) stands upon the topic of "Security Guards" and non-stop Stalking and/or Harassment from such persons. This is regardless of whether they are uniformed or in plain-clothes, or in uniform of the company they work for.

    I shall state many simple examples which actually occur to me, as soon as I enter anyplace:
    - The Security may instantly trail me, often calling in reinforcements.
    - They may take prolonged, careful notes concerning what item I buy.
    - They may have a regular item which I buy removed from sale (and enjoy sight of me seeing this).
    - They may give my description to other stores, recommending other stores to do the same.
    - They may deliberately set off the "Security Gates" as I walk through them.
    - They may lie about me having stolen an item (despite my queuing and having a reciept), and use that as excuse to "stop and search" me.
    - ...If I make a complaint, then it is dismissed, and only causes all of what I mentioned to be *more* likely to happen.

    There is (was) a Thread about this upon this NAS Internet already, but I am asking, as always, how I stand, or can protect myself -- in ACTUAL LAW.

    Thank You for your time.

  • To "Oktanol".

    Upon the discussed topic. I understood what NPAA said:

    National Police Autism Association said:
    There may be an underlying welfare issue

    As I understand it, a child emulating a "CareGiver", insofar as not immediately breaking the law, it is seen as CUTE. (See the posts before.) "They don't really mean any harm!" sort of thing. When the child does actually break the law, it does not count for THEM, yet the damage is done to the Victim... who does *not* see it as at all CUTE. "Oh they didn't mean any harm! Get over it!" sort of thing.

    Sincerely at you, and I suspect also, the majority of others who may be reading... I suspect that you have never actually had such things performed at you - which IS a very good thing.

    Yet for myself:
    - As soon as a child is old enough to walk, OR talk..
    - They are able to pick up stones, OR shout foul language...
    - They can "accidentally-on-purpose" fall down to obstruct me, OR shout lies in order attract attention to me...
    - ...And any of that brings the wrath of "caregivers" or onlookers to blame *me*... for not finding it CUTE.
    ..."Oh they're just a child!"... And that does not matter if the "child" is no taller than my own knees, or taller than above my head... やれやれ...

    (This could begin a whole new Thread by itself, and I am not certain if NPAA (the starters of this Thread) intended that?)

  • Don't think young children using a lot of bad swear words is seen as cute, it may be a sign that their parents are shouting abuse to each other and their children, so the children see verbal abuse as a normal way of communicating. When older kids do this a lot they may just be trying to be different from adults and to be provocating which is not so unusual, but little kids don't really do this so much yet. 

    No idea what you can do about it, but if someone finds it cute something isn't quite right with this in itself really.

  • To N.P.A.A. alone,

    Good evening again, and this is an unexpected post from me. You, N.P.A.A., have finally been mentioned in another Thread apart from this one... after more than a YEAR of silence.
    I suspect an *avalanche* approaching...where, of course, my own previous questions were naught but a *slight precipitation* for you... because they were far too CUTE.

    I was after this, about to ask about how deal with "Security Guards & Stalking"... but, I suspect that that is the end of such discussions.

    Farewell.

  • To The "NPAA"...Common decency dictates that I should thank you... and so this IS a genuine Thank you... for taking the TIME to answer (about five days). Follows is my attempt at a reply.

    All of that which is stated are matters which I myself already practise. And insofar as your reply is concerned, the main benefit to myself is only having it all IN WRITING.

    Your using the term "Underlying welfare issue" is one which I also understand, all too well: A "bad" parent may define themselves via a "bad" child...? Yet as the parent is bad, the actions they encourage their child to do, are seen as CUTE. (I emphasised this CUTENESS in my posted question.)

    There is a reason why I chose the "username", of 'Disallowed CYNOSURE'.
    All of that which I state happens to me, simply UPON SIGHT of me. Upon sight of me, I am seen as a safe target, and I am chased and worried and harassed, to equal pleasure of children and many adults, for they expect me to tolerate (or even show enjoyment of!) all of it. It is seen as CUTE.
    It is the worse for me upon any of them following me back to where I (am forced to) live; for unruly and bored children then regard that as a valid playground, for them to practise whatever acts relieve their own boredom. And adults *still* find it CUTE.

    That is current society. My usual policy is to run away, but I cannot always do that. Glad tidings to all of you in any case. おやすみなさい.

  • We understand :)

    The first thing to point out is that the age of criminal responsibility in the UK is 10, and that children (legally anyone below the age of 18) are bound by the law, the same as anyone else. The things you mention above are classed as assault, theft and criminal damage respectively, which are all offences that the police can investigate. That said, there is a big grey area between what might be classed as 'anti-social behaviour' (even though technically it's a criminal act) and a criminal offence that we would prosecute. For instance, neighbourhood officers often get involved in neighbour disputes which can involve bad language, threats, petty vandalism etc. We would usually try to resolve these informally before going down the formal route of prosecuting offences, and the same often applies when dealing with minor offences committed by children.

    In the case of children shouting abuse, throwing stones etc. we would recommend the following:

    - Don't retaliate, however tempting it may be. Any use of force should be to prevent injury to yourself and NO more - you may end up having to defend this in court if a complaint is made

    - If approaching the parents, bear in mind that some will automatically take their childrens' side, no matter what the circumstances. Make your point politely and firmly, and don't get drawn into an argument

    - The safest option, if you want to take the matter further is to report the incident to the police and let us deal with it. We can liaise with the parents, school etc. There may be an underlying welfare issue that needs to be addressed, e.g. neglect in the case of young children using very bad language.

    - There is no law in the UK against filming or photographing children (or anyone else) in public, HOWEVER if considering this to gather evidence of criminal damage etc., bear in mind that in the current climate, any adult filming children is likely to provoke a strong reaction from passers-by, and especially parents, and the police will probably be called.

    Hope this helps.. feel free to comment or ask any more Q's

  • Excellent questions.  Unfortunately I also have no answers.

    Hope the police have some constructive advice.

  • Good evening to one and all.
    Well, well... I was going to leave off from this, in my waiting for someone else to write something. But - the opportunity to speak in a 'calm' situation to actual POLICE (!), is a thing I would do well to investigate. And so I pose here, perhaps a quandary for you.

    A lot happens in just a year, including new laws... which prevent one from "upsetting" CHILDREN. Even in self-defence. No more fillips, no more ear-tweaking, no more slight cuffing...

    The quandary is this: What are we supposed to do if a bunch of children - or even just ONE of them... decides to "upset" an adult?? Children who use vulgar language, throw stones, steal or break or foul property... they regard you as they might a cat, a pigeon, or a fox, and so they treat you in similar fashion, chasing you and enjoying the harm they do when they catch you.
    And yet, because they are children... adults - including their own parents - simply look on, smile, and find it CUTE.

    "They're just playing!" "Kids will be kids!" "That is your own problem. They won't do *that* again!"

    Some children delight in bullying other children... and when you are a certain type of adult, they delight even more in the task, and they even come to see it as a sort of social DUTY.

    (Hope you understand. Not surprised if you do not. Ending this post now anyway.)

  • Hi, thanks for the feedback :) We weren't expecting any replies, it was just a post to let people know we're here :) and still going strong 18 months later! We'd be very happy to answer any questions in this thread through.

  • March 2016 - more than a year ago. And yet, am I the first to post ANYTHING at all?

    I kind of found this by accident, but disregarding that...what happened?? This is almost a shame... what was expected, or what was expected to be posted? (Here, I mean.)

    (P.S.- Maybe add "-UK" to the end of your main WWW address (npaa), or just use plain English hyphenated... Because in searching this, I also found very many links to America, and to the other Uk npaa, an "Anglers Association" (fishing) as well... which is not very helpful. Glad tidings to anyone in any case.)