JENKS, Okla. — April is Autism Awareness Month and the Jenks Police Department’s new cruiser is doing simply that.

“I’m very excited to drive this automobile and characterize the autism neighborhood,” says Officer Cody Galloway.

The Jenks Police Department is doing its half, in working to boost consciousness of autism with a newly painted cruiser, and coaching for officers.

For Officer Galloway, this unveiling is near his coronary heart.

“It is something deep to my heart because I am on the spectrum. I was diagnosed in high school. So with my spectrum, I’ve been assisting other families as well. And this is something very dear to my heart,” Galloway says.

The cruiser is complete with red, yellow, and blue puzzle pieces on the sides, along with the Jenks Police Department’s crest – also made up of puzzle pieces, and on the front of the cruiser, a bright ribbon — a sign of hope.

Jenks Police Chief Jason Jackson says the department has had several encounters with citizens on the spectrum and he says it’s very important his officers know how to handle those situations.

“Small changes we can make, like turning our overhead lights off during a traffic stop. If you have a child on the spectrum in the car, you know lower tones. Those types of things will make a lot of difference in the outcome,” says Chief Jackson.

Jackson additionally says he desires households to know the police are there as a useful resource.

“We’re not gonna come in heavy-handed and try to overpower things. We are coming in understanding, and the ability to try and communicate with them and recognize what the issue is.”

Jackson says nearly all of JPD officers have gone via coaching already, and he does count on so as to add an extra degree of coaching over the following yr.

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