Officer Erik Martin of the Bothell Police Department has been named a 2016 Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.
On the nomination form the parent wrote:
“Officer Martin has consistently maintained a positive relationship with my son... a child on the autism spectrum who exhibits extreme behavior outbursts with verbal and physical aggression. He will take the time to sit with him on the ground, to create a "contract" with him, to set expectations and then (most importantly) follow through. In one instance he made a deal with my son that if he had good behavior for a week, that he would take him for a ride in the police car. The look of pure joy and pride (on both of their faces) when he successfully completed a week of positive behavior was nothing less than priceless. He has given my son his cell phone number which is saved in his phone, my son has used it to text Officer Martin to share good news with him and he responds back. When we need to call 911 for help, if he is in the area he will go out of his way to assist because he knows what kids on the spectrum need and he is always more than willing to provide it. Despite numerous police interventions for my son, Officer Martin is one of the reasons why he continues to have respect for the officers who come to his aid. We are ever so thankful to have him and consider him part of our extended team for my son.”