Qualitative Exploration of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and Creation of Informed Police Officer Training in Canada

Abstract Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is the leading cause of developmental disability in Canada and individuals with FASD are 30 times more likely to come in contact with the criminal justice system (CJS) and police officers as victims, witnesses, and suspects/accused parties (McLachlan et al., 2019). Within the Ontario, Canada, context, my overarching interdisciplinary research question asks: How can the experiences of justice-involved individuals with FASD be utilized to assist in the development of training and education for police officers to recognize the behaviours associated with the secondary disabilities of FASD such that officers can utilize FASD-informed responses, including alternatives to incarceration and community referrals. My Participatory Action Research (PAR) strives to shift officer perspective, decrease stigma, and increase consideration for the use of diversion and restorative justice measures for FASD youth and adult offenders. From an interdisciplinary perspective, this research relies on several theoretical frameworks including symbolic interactionism and Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Theory of Human Development. Once framed, this research deploys action research qualitative research methodology and in-depth interviews with: 1) five participants formally or informally diagnosed with FASD whose interactions with police officers via respective arrests or interactions; and 2) two participants who are currently employed as FASD co-ordinators in x agency. Data analysis results in the emergence of nine main themes which focuses on participants’ perceptions of police and the desire for patience and respect during police interactions, specifically during arrest. The perceptions from this small selective sample indicate a robust opportunity to increase police-community relations during all interactions with individuals with FASD. This research contributes to the academic literature as the literature review unveils minimal research conducted on the consistency of training or education modules created and delivered to Canadian police officers regarding FASD, the behaviours associated with FASD and the secondary disabilities arising from the condition. This research contributes to the applied and professional arena with the creation of a standardized police training and education module outlining the relevant behaviours associated with FASD. As a policing practitioner and scholar, the resultant module provides an actionable opportunity for officers to provide constructive alternatives to incarceration.Keywords: FASD; Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder; police-community relations; FASD and justice; police training on FASD; FASD and criminogenic behaviour; overrepresentation in correctional facilities; stigmatization due to behaviour; FASD-informed police training

Author dc:creator

• Bonn, Brenna

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Christie, Kenneth

• College of interdisciplinary studies

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Identifier URI

https://doi.org/10.25316/ir-19787

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:null:10613/28174