I share the same diagnosis as Chase de Balinhard—a young boy killed in a tragic encounter with the police—and this incident has left me both terrified and deeply concerned. Chase, a 15-year-old boy with autism and ADHD, reached out to the police in a moment of crisis, seeking help and protection.  He had a toy gun that was mistaken for a real gun.  Instead of a kind approach, he was met with threats from a police dog, a taser, and a beanbag gun. When Chase tried to flee, he was fatally shot twice in the chest. This heartbreaking event underscores a crucial, urgent need for police reform and training in handling situations involving individuals with autism and ADHD.  What is really alarming is the police were cleared in this killing.  https://iiobc.ca/app/uploads/sites/472/2025/02/February-9-2025-Surrey-Death-2025-038.pdf?fbclid=IwdGRleAOfQCVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xNzM4NDc2NDI2NzAzNzAAAR5g3p0KEINXo-CqYRU2wVlxKUEp6vSfp9wxelZNk838Fl-zFx1v0mp5_l2vBw_aem_T2X7on8hIlie-QxUCjyo8g

In this tragic incident, none of the police officers involved had any specialized training in autism awareness. The inability to recognize that Chase’s behavior—such as running away, avoiding eye contact, etc, was linked to his autism and ADHD is an unacceptable oversight that cost him his life. It's imperative for law enforcement to understand that these behaviors are often expressions of distress or a way of coping, not signs of threat or aggression.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 54 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum condition, a statistic that highlights the pressing need for all first responders to have appropriate training. In Canada, where Chase's tragedy unfolded, implementing comprehensive autism awareness training programs must become a priority to prevent future tragedies.

We call upon government officials and law enforcement agencies in Canada to mandate autism and ADHD training for all police officers. Such training will equip officers with the necessary skills to de-escalate situations, recognize non-threatening behaviors, and respond with the empathy and understanding required to protect vulnerable individuals. We urge the Canadian government to invest in and prioritize this essential training to prevent any more unnecessary loss of life.

Please join me in calling for this critical change. Sign this petition to demand that Canada’s police forces undertake immediate and comprehensive training so they can protect and serve everyone in our communities effectively and compassionately.