Guiding Force: Police Adopt ADHD Resource

Three ADHD awareness raising posters and the ADHD in Custody guide are spread out on a blue carpet below three police hats from Cumbria Constabulary.

Credit: Cumbria Constabulary

Cumbria Constabulary becomes the first police force in England and Wales to adopt ‘ADHD in Custody a Guide to Police Custody for ADHDers’, created by neurodiversikey® and the ADHD Alliance.

neurodiversikey.com/adhdincustody

Cumbria Constabulary is paving the way for English and Welsh police forces by adopting a guide to legal rights and ADHD in one of its custody suites. Posters raising awareness of not only the guide, but the necessity of ADHD disclosure and identification, are being implemented in addition to 500 copies of ‘ADHD in Custody a Guide to Police Custody for ADHDers’. The guide and posters, co-created by neurodiversikey® and the ADHD Alliance, will complement an existing ADHD screening pilot being run by ADHD Liberty.

‘ADHD in Custody A Guide to Police Custody for ADHDers’ was made by ADHDers, for ADHDers. The law has been reviewed by experienced practitioners including leading criminal silk and Chair of the Criminal Bar Association Mary Prior KC, Sohail Bashir, Kim Cresswell, Mark Robinson, and Keith Simmonett. The overarching goal of the guide is to further fairness, effectiveness, and justice in the custody process and throughout the criminal justice system. It aims to empower ADHDers detained in police custody to better understand their legal rights and to obtain support appropriate to their needs. Additionally, the guide is intended to help increase identification of undiagnosed ADHDers by raising awareness and understanding of ADHD amongst both the police and detained individuals. This invaluable resource provides basic information about ADHD and legal rights in police custody, including Appropriate Adults and reasonable adjustments.

The guide has seen immediate success as an educational resource since its launch in October 2023. Endorsed by Sir Robert Buckland KBE KC and used as an educational resource by the National Appropriate Adult Network, the guide informs the training neurodiversikey® and the ADHD Alliance deliver to Appropriate Adult services and police forces. Beyond the police station, the guide has been making its way through the wider criminal justice system, specifically the legal sector. A regular exhibit at the Criminal Bar Association conferences, the guide has also featured in Garden Court Chambers’ educational webinar ‘Representing Neurodiverse Clients’. 

The posters have been designed to raise awareness within the custody suite of the guide and of the importance of ADHD respectively. The latter, based on the guide’s original guidance document, highlights the serious implications of failing to identify or support ADHD in the criminal justice system – from increased risk of death to miscarriages of justice. With ADHDers making up around 25% of people in the criminal justice system, and research suggesting ADHD medication can reduce criminality and suicidality, it begs the question of why the criminal justice system continues to sleep on ADHD. Proper identification, recognition and support could be the difference between life and death, justice and injustice.

Co-authors DC Daley Jones of the ADHD Alliance, and Emma Llanwarne and Danielle Gleicher-Bates of neurodiversikey® share their thoughts:

"As a Detective Constable who is also ADHD, I am acutely aware of the frequency with which ADHDers’ needs are not met in a custody setting. This guide gives clear guidance on the rights of ADHDers and moves us towards a fairer and more equitable criminal justice system."
Black and white headshot of DC Daley Jones a white smiling man with short facial hair.
DC Daley Jones
The ADHD Alliance
"As a consultant criminal defence paralegal I have witnessed firsthand how necessary and important a resource this will be for police officers, suspects, and legal professionals alike. It will support: challenging assumptions about ADHD; effective advocacy for ADHD suspects; facilitating communication; and compliance with legal obligations. It will promote better outcomes in the Criminal Justice System."
A black and white headshot of Emma Llanwarne, a smiling white woman with a long curled hair.
Emma Llanwarne
neurodiversikey®
"Through my own experiences, I’ve learned that other people’s misinterpretations of neurodivergence can often render us vulnerable. I hope the guide will help to educate those who don’t yet understand, and empower those who may otherwise be vulnerable."
A black and white headshot of Danielle Gleicher-Bates, a smiling white woman with long straight hair and glasses.
Danielle Gleicher-Bates
neurodiversikey®

Head to the ADHD in Custody page to learn more, download the guide and guidance document, or enquire about implementation.




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