Lee Co. Sheriff introduces program to aid interactions with people with developmental disabilities

LEE COUNTY, Fla. —

The Lee County Sheriff's Office announced a new partnership with Family Initiative, Inc. that aims to improve law enforcement interactions with individuals with developmental disabilities.

According to Sheriff Carmine Marceno, the collaboration will connect LCSO deputies with licensed clinical professionals who will provide real-time consultation or respond directly to active scenes when needed.

Marceno said that all requests for clinical assistance will be coordinated by LCSO's Community Response Unit, which will help ensure timely and well-managed responses.

LCSO will also utilize its Golden PAWS Crisis Care K-9 teams to help de-escalate situations, provide comfort, and assist individuals experiencing crisis or sensory overload, according to Marceno.

Marceno also highlighted LCSO's Special Persons Registry Database. The database allows families to voluntarily register loved ones with autism or other developmental disabilities. This helps deputies learn critical information before responding to a scene.

"This partnership represents proactive policing at its best," Marceno said. "By combining law enforcement, clinical expertise, and community resources, we are creating safer interactions, better outcomes, and stronger trust with families we serve."

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