International Working Group on Public Safety and People of Determination
About Us
The Secure Communities Forum, in collaboration with The Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination, The Arc’s National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability, Singapore University of Social Sciences, Guarda Nacional Republicana, Innovative Prison Systems, Oxon Advisory, and other global experts and organizations, joined forces in 2023 to establish a pioneering international working group aimed at advancing the support provided by law enforcement and public safety agencies to People of Determination worldwide. The term "People of Determination" is uniquely used in the United Arab Emirates to refer to individuals with disabilities, emphasizing their strength and resilience.
Guidelines for Public Safety and People of Determination
The SCF's Working Group has crafted concise and practical guidelines to assist various public safety agencies in their mission to enhance services for People of Determination, irrespective of geographical location or style of government. The ultimate objective of this document is to provide foundational knowledge of eclectic and essential steps that a public safety organization, such as law enforcement, corrections, EMS, or fire, can take to ensure maximal respect, dignity, and service for populations of People of Determination.
Our working group is available regarding any questions regarding the guidelines or their implementation.
Our Partners
Our working group is proudly comprised of diverse organizations and individuals from around the world, dedicated to the mutual cause of better supporting the way law enforcement and public safety officials support people with determination globally.
.jpg){kind=logo}
Resource Center for Public Safety and People of Determination
Additionally, the SCF's Working Group has curated a resource center comprising tools, training guidelines, and other assets that can aid global public safety agencies in gaining a deeper understanding and expanding their capacity to support their critical population of People of Determination.
We welcome suggested additions of good practices, training, and other online resources, which we would be honored to add to the below collection.
-
Understanding Disability National Health Service England, Disability Matters
-
Making Community Emergency Preparedness and Response Programs Accessible to People with Disabilities Niagara University First Responders
-
Disability Training for Emergency Planners: Serving People with Disabilities The Ohio State University, Nisonger Center
-
Building Capacity for Disability Inclusion in Gender-Based Violence Programming in Humanitarian Settings Women’s Refugee Commission
-
Communicating About People with Disabilities National Disability Rights Network
-
Disability Terminology & Etiquette University of North Carolina, Wilmington
Building Bridges: Multi-Agency Collaboration in Supporting Disability Justice
Building Bridges: Multi-Agency Collaboration in Supporting Disability Justice is a joint report by the Secure Communities Forum (SCF) and the Global Law Enforcement and Public Health Association (GLEPHA).
The report examines the evolving role of law enforcement in supporting People of Determination (persons with disabilities) through a comprehensive analysis of interviews with 16 officers across 11 countries. It identifies key structural and operational barriers in policing practices and highlights emerging collaborative models as critical for effective disability justice.
Key findings include:
-
Strong desire for practical, competency-based training: Officers expressed the need for targeted education to improve their understanding and interactions with People of Determination.
-
Evidence of positive intentions: Contrary to traditional academic narratives portraying law enforcement as adversarial, the study revealed widespread goodwill and a commitment to equitable treatment among officers.
-
Importance of multi-agency partnerships: The most effective support strategies emerged from coordinated efforts between police, disability advocacy groups, mental health professionals, and community organizations.
-
Integration with community policing frameworks: Officers increasingly link disability justice work with core principles of community engagement and co-production of safety strategies.
-
Support for officers with disabilities: The report also addresses internal institutional gaps in supporting law enforcement personnel who are themselves people of determination.
Overall, this research challenges established stereotypes in academic literature and offers evidence-based recommendations to transform good intentions into actionable, systemic change through multi-agency collaboration, enhanced training, and inclusive policy development.