CALDWELL, Idaho — The Caldwell Police Department (CPD) has unveiled its newly redesigned autism awareness police cruiser.
CPD said the redesign was inspired by "a desire to mitigate divisiveness and create a positive, inclusive narrative after our department faced negative feedback over the cruiser's previous design last year. By collaborating with those in the Autism community, the new design avoids symbolism and instead uses powerful, straightforward language to educate the public, fostering perspective and understanding," said a spokesperson for CPD.
Caldwell Police partnered with Lyla's House, which is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting folks with autism and their families. Lyla's House said they aim to create "a safe and inclusive environment for those with autism and sensory sensitivities."
"We wanted this cruiser to spark conversation and teach people about the realities of Autism. While we understand that the verbiage used does not cover all realities of Autism, our hope is that it will be the start of a conversation that is going in the right direction," said Dana Batts, Founder and President of Lyla's House. "Words are the most powerful tools to create understanding and empathy. This new and simple design reflects that belief."
The cruiser will play a role in Caldwell's Light Parade later this month. Kylie Welch, the National Miss Royalty Voice of Autism, will get to ride in the cruiser for the parade. A news release said Welch's involvement highlights the importance of using this platform to amplify voices from the autism community.
"This project is about more than a new design," said Rex Ingram, Caldwell's Chief of Police. "It's about demonstrating our commitment to inclusion, education, and being a trusted partner to the autism community."
