Phoenix-area police release body cam footage of detention of autistic teen

PHOENIX — Police released body camera footage Monday of the detention of an autistic teenager who was approached by an officer who thought the boy was on drugs.

Buckeye Police Department files showed officer David Grossman was driving by a park near Verrado Way and Indian School Road when he spotted the teenager on July 19.

Grossman said the boy was pacing and appeared to be smelling something in his hands, which he said was consistent with someone using inhalants.

Grossman approached the boy, who told the officer he was carrying a string. Grossman detained the boy after he told the officer he was not carrying identification and apparently turned to run.

The pair fell to the ground during a brief struggle and the boy received several scrapes and bruises. He later declined medical treatment.

While on the ground, the boy asked if he was “going away” and told the officer he would breathe to calm down. He also said he was OK.

Shortly after, the boy’s aunt, identified as Diane, approached Grossman and told the officer that the boy had autism. He had not been using inhalants.

Instead, he was “stimming,” which is slang for self-stimulating activity commonly performed by autistic people. He typically carried the string because it helped with his nerves.

Grossman decided to release the boy after Diane explained his situation and the boy remained calm.

Diane said she was not with the boy because she was working inside a nearby home and apologized.

The department said in a statement that it trains officers to interact with people who have a disability.

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