Online course promoting safe police encounters set to launch

First-of-its-kind certification for people living with disabilities

DRTC alongside IDD Safe are preparing to launch a new program that will teach people living with disabilities across the United States how to have safer interactions with law enforcement.

Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) and IDD Safe, in conjunction with LearningQ, an accessible learning platform, are producing a multi-unit certification unit called “Safety and Police Encounters.” This self-paced, five-badge course includes 25 topics within:

• You and the police
• Being safe with police
• Proper identification
• Your rights
• Police encounters

DRTC has partnered with IDD Safe since 2022 providing in-person police safety training to more than 100 people. The online format, featuring video tutorials and interactive elements, will help empower more people living with disabilities across the country to interact confidently and safely with police.

“We’re excited to provide this first-of-its-kind training to people living with intellectual or developmental disabilities beyond our agency,” said DRTC Executive Director/CEO Deborah Copeland, M.Ed. “Whether it be an emergency, routine traffic stop, or security at an airport, anyone can find themselves in situations involving law enforcement. Our goal is to provide needed information for navigating these stressful events.”

Ret. Lt. Stan Campbell and Ret. Sgt. Rob High, both retired Oklahoma City Police Department officers, co-founded IDD Safe to deliver de-escalation training for those with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

“Offering this level of training nationwide allows us the opportunity to reach a broader audience in the name of safety and increase the chances of favorable outcomes during police encounters,” said IDD Co-founder Lt. Campbell.

Safety and Police Encounters is expected to launch February 2025, with pre-registration available now at learningq.org/#/products/safepolice. Participants will have three months’ access to the training material, with an option for ten weeks of live instruction from experienced instructors.