The Missouri City Police Department has achieved the Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) designation, a certification awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to organizations that have trained 80% or more of public-facing team members on how to better communicate with and respond to autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals.

Missouri City Police Chief Brandon Harris expresses his pride in the department’s accomplishment, stating, “We prioritize the needs of every individual we serve, striving to create a welcoming and accessible space for all. Achieving certification as a Certified Autism Center™ reaffirms our commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for autistic individuals in Missouri City.”

The comprehensive training equips the Missouri City Police personnel with knowledge and strategies related to sensory triggers, communication differences and scenario-specific approaches to enhance safety and comfort during interventions for autistic individuals and their families. This commitment not only improves outcomes, but also underscores the Missouri City Police’s dedication to fostering inclusivity and equitable service delivery within the community.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 1 in 36 children in the United States is diagnosed with autism, and 1 in 6 people have a sensory sensitivity, which highlights the growing need for specialized training and certification. Training from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), guided by evidence-based practices and insights from experts and autistic self-advocates, ensures the department is well-prepared to offer appropriate support and assistance.

Myron Pincomb, IBCCES board chairman, states, “Partnering with the Missouri City Police to build a community that is both safe and welcoming to all is aligned with IBCCES’ mission. This designation demonstrates their dedication to providing the best possible care for autistic individuals and ensuring that they are able to respond appropriately in urgent situations.”

For more than 20 years, IBCCES has been a leader in cognitive disorder training and certification for healthcare, education and corporate professionals around the globe. IBCCES programs include evidence-based content as well as the perspectives of autistic individuals, alongside other resources, ongoing support and renewal requirements to ensure there is continued learning and a lasting impact.

Additionally, IBCCES has developed CertifiedAutismCenter.com, a complimentary online resource for families seeking certified locations and professionals. Each organization featured on the site has fulfilled the requirements to be recognized as a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC).

About Missouri City Police Department
The Missouri City Police Department is distinguished as one of over 50 departments in Texas to achieve recognized law enforcement agency status. The department was recently evaluated on 164 best practices standards to achieve this statewide award from the Texas Police Chiefs Association Foundation Recognition Program. Continuing its long-standing tradition of placing citizens first, Missouri City was recently honored as one of the top 10 safest cities in Texas by real estate website Movoto. Compiling crime data from the top 100 most populous municipalities in Texas, Movoto used the FBI’s 2012 Uniform Crime Report to determine that Missouri City is the sixth safest city in Texas.

We are proud to provide:
• 24-hour protection with more than 100 employees, sworn and civilian, at your service.
• Four Divisions: Patrol, Criminal Investigation, Support Services and Administrative.
• Partnerships with our citizens through crime prevention and educational programs.
• Improved traffic safety.

About IBCCES

Committed to providing The Global Standard for Training and Certification in The Field of Cognitive Disorders – IBCCES provides a series of certifications that empower professionals to be leaders in their field and improve the outcomes for the individuals they serve. These programs are recognized around the world as the leading benchmark for training and certification in the areas of autism and other cognitive disorders.