NY State’s disability ID form

A retired police captain speaks out on how officers can handle citizens with disability. This after a deputy from the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office is caught on video holding a 14 year old believed to have autism on the ground.

Retired Captain, with the Troy Police Department John Cooney says the State of NY offers a disability ID program. It’s been around for a few years, but many people may not know of it, he says.

On April 18th, a Saratoga deputy is seen on video pinning a 14 year old boy on the ground at Target, with his someone in the background screaming he has autism. The video went viral because of the level of force used against the child. .

John Cooney is trying to bring more awareness to disability ID program to help those with a disability. The program offers a free lanyard with a identification card that explains an individual has a disability. Cooney explains how the person would wear the lanyard around their neck and could display it whenever they encounter an officer. “With law enforcement now having that awareness, especially in the form of a lanyard, the display of the ID may in fact, create a much lower level communication, as far as stress, as far as anxiety, and maybe situations that could go physical, could be resolved much easier through just knowledge of the disability," he said.

Capt. Cooney feels this will make a huge difference and will prevent incidents like the one seen at the Target at Clifton Park.

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