Gov. Wes Moore recognized the Montgomery County Police Department’s autism and disability-focused unit Monday with the Ethan Saylor Alliance Award honoring two decades of work to improve interactions between law enforcement and individuals with developmental disabilities.
The county’s Autism, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Alzheimer’s and Dementia Outreach Program began in 2005 in response to a rise in police calls for missing persons with these types of disabilities. Since then, the program has trained officers on communication tactics, crisis response and de-escalation strategies tailored to protecting this population of residents. The unit also works directly with caregivers and individuals on safety planning and communication skills.
The award is named in memory of Ethan Saylor, a 26-year-old man with Down syndrome from Frederick County who was killed in 2013 when an off-duty sheriff’s deputy working as a mall security guard attempted to remove him from a movie theater using excessive force. His health prompted state and national calls for change and led to the creation of the Ethan Saylor Alliance, which trains law enforcement and first responders on the best practices for interacting with people with developmental disabilities.
At the ceremony, Moore highlighted Montgomery County’s role as an early adopter of specialized disabilities-related training.
“Initiatives like this build bridges between law enforcement and the disability community,” Moore said in a statement. “This unit set a standard for what compassionate public safety can look like.”
Congratulations to our Autism/IDD Unit on receiving a Maryland Governor’s Citation from the Ethan Saylor Alliance!
This recognition reflects more than 20 years of outreach, training, and response supporting safe interactions with the Autism/IDD community. #MCPNews #MCPD pic.twitter.com/VWjLaOi8YG
— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) January 12, 2026
The symbol can be added through a myMVA account or in person at Motor Vehicle Administration offices at no cost if no other changes are made. The designation is voluntary and does not require documentation.
The law is named for Eric Carpenter-Grantham, a Montgomery County resident with high-functioning autism whose family advocated for legislative action following concerns about police encounters. Supporters say the butterfly symbol promotes understanding during traffic stops and emergencies and complements ongoing police training initiatives.
Together, the Saylor Alliance award, Montgomery County’s autism/IDD unit and Eric’s ID Law reflect a broader statewide push to improve communication and safety between law enforcement and people with hidden disabilities.
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