Justice For Ethan: Governor Martin O'Malley, We need an independent investigation and training for police.
When you’re signing, you’re asked “Why is this important to you.”
“The love I have for Ethan, what I owe him, is what gives me the strength to be here today,” she said, before her family and supporters delivered 340,000 signatures to Gov. Martin O'Malley.
“I applaud Governor O’Malley’s decision to form this committee,” said Dr. Shriver.
“I am pleased that these talented and committed individuals have agreed to serve on this important commission,” Governor O’Malley said.
Today, we gather in recognition that here in Maryland, the goals of justice and equality and dignity remain the unfinished business of our own nation and our own state…
Commission member Chuck Rapp, Executive Director of the Police and Correctional Training Commissions (PCTC) provided an overview of how police training is conducted in Maryland.
He [Chair Timothy Shriver] then presented a diagram of a Community Inclusion plan that includes training various public sector personnel on how to interact with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“While we were, in part, created from a tragedy, the plan emerging from the Commission today honors Ethan Saylor by demonstrating a renewed and strengthened commitment to the ideals of justice, equality, and dignity for all differently-abled citizens of Maryland and their families.”
Commission members hear from citizens including the mother of a child who has Down syndrome and a congenital heart defect.
Several citizens testify to the importance of communication in police encounters with people with disabilities and share their recommendations.
“Just a few months into this project, and we are already seeing just how great the need is nationally for resources, information, training, and support around this issue.
Citizens who gave testimony include Scott Evans, Executive Director of the Benedictine School, where Ethan was a student.
Those in attendance spoke about the existing services in Frederick, MD. Some also voiced their personal opinions about the culture that exists within the Sheriff's office.
Alisa Macht, Executive Officer of the Commission, provided an overview of the Listening Tour and other comments submitted by the public
Maryland State Department of Education
United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on The Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, “Law Enforcement Responses to Disabled Americans: Promising Approaches for Protecting Public Safety”
Reports from service sectors and a discussion of CIT (Crisis Intervention Teams)
Dr. Shriver briefly presented on the role of the Commission in each circle (sector).
Commission members discussed need for training investigators on the possibility of “false confessions” from people with I/DD, as well as the need for training of lawyers who handle civil matters such as those working in the Legal Services Corps.
Hosted by the Maryland State Department of Education
A state commission created after the death of Ethan Saylor met with Gov. Martin O'Malley on Wednesday, about a year after its formation.
"This is a very important first step to begin with our police and the recruits at the academy level," says Failla.
As of January 1, 2015, all police academies in Maryland will be required to teach content to the objectives.
Presentations by Disability Organizations Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities at Kennedy Krieger Inst. Ethan’s Law Work Group Pathfinders for Autism
This report includes recommendations in the following key areas:
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