O’FALLON, IL. — O’Fallon Police Sgt. Nick Schmidt was recognized this week by the O’Fallon Police Department with its Extra Mile Award for his work bringing the Blue Envelope Program to the community.
Sgt. Schmidt learned about the program, recognized its potential value in O’Fallon, and took the initiative to advance the idea and make it happen, according to the department.
The Blue Envelope Program was developed locally in partnership with The Autism Hero Project.
The voluntary, free program is designed to help create safer, more positive interactions between law enforcement and individuals on the autism spectrum.
Participants receive an identifiable blue envelope that can be presented during an interaction with an officer.
The envelope serves as a visual cue that the individual may have specific communication preferences or support needs. It can also hold copies of a driver’s license and vehicle documents, communication information, and contact information for a designated support person.
The Extra Mile Award recognizes employees who go the extra mile to improve the O’Fallon Police Department and the community.
