OKC- based program offers online police safety training for people with disabilities

Retired Oklahoma City police Lieutenant Stan Campbell started IDD Safe, a program that teaches people living with developmental and intellectual disabilities how to have safe encounters with police. Campbell has partnered with Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) in northwest Oklahoma City to offer in-person instruction.

Where did you get the inspiration to start IDD Safe?

“My nephew was coming into his independence, he was like a young teenager, he’s on the spectrum. I tested him and found out, ‘An officer walks up on you, what do you do?’ And he didn’t give me the right responses and actions. So, I knew that this was post Michael Brown, I had to intervene and start teaching him.”

You teach class participants about the three Cs. What is that?

“Any encounters they have you’ll be calm, communicate with the officer and comply with whatever the orders are that way they can stay safe. And also have an understanding that de-escalation is a partnership between the citizen and the officer and they both have to work together to have that peace.”

Why did you start a virtual classroom setting?

“From the success of the partnership with DRTC the in-person stuff which is true training with all of our lecture stuff with high-produced videos and we came up with the Safety and Police Encounters online class. A 10-week class.”

The expert-led online sessions offer real-life scenario training, post-class quizzes, class pace compatible with the learner, and a certification once the participant completes the course. The IDD Safe virtual course is open for enrollment.