Police See 'Special Needs Registry' As Key De-Escalation Tool

PORT CHESTER — Despite an unfortunately sinister-sounding moniker, police officials say a "special needs registry" initiative could go a long way towards making interactions between officers and potentially vulnerable members of the community less fraught.

The idea behind the registry is to compile a list of people in the community who, due to mental health challenges or medical conditions, may require special assistance in an emergency or in an interaction with Port Chester police officers, according to the department. Officials stress that the registry is completely voluntary and that the information provided is for the sole use of the Port Chester Police Department to better interact with those with special needs.

In addition to giving police a heads-up that the person they are interacting with might need special consideration, officials say that the registry can also be a valuable tool if a vulnerable member of the community should go missing.

"If the individual goes missing and is reported by the parent/guardian, information about his/her
physical appearance, the most likely places where he/she would go, as well as triggers, stimulants,
and de-escalation techniques will be sent to every police officer in the area to look for the missing
person," Port Chester PD explained in informational materials about the special needs registry. "If the individual has not been reported and is incapable of effectively communicating his/her
name to an officer, a computer check of the neighborhood, coupled with the physical appearance,
may allow us to identify the individual more quickly."

Special needs registry forms are available on the Village of Port Chester website and more information about this program of the Port Chester Police Department can be found here.