Recently, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office was honored to receive the Robert Perske Award from The Arc of the Pikes Peak Region in recognition of efforts to bring the Blue Envelope Project to the Sheriff’s Office and expand safety, dignity, and inclusion for individuals who may have communication, sensory, or cognitive challenges.
Sheriff’s Office Patrol Lieutenant Mike Pitt and Professional Staff Member Sarah Somers accepted the award on behalf of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office for their work bringing the Blue Envelope Project to the agency.
During the award presentation, The Arc of the Pikes Peak Region expressed its appreciation for Sheriff Roybal’s commitment to the disabled community and his leadership in advancing initiatives designed to improve interactions between law enforcement and individuals with disabilities.
Keynote speaker Ben Kjar highlighted Sheriff Roybal’s commitment to creating positive change, describing his approach as “disobeying average” by championing programs which promote safety, dignity, and inclusion.
The Blue Envelope Project provides individuals with autism and other disabilities with a tool they can voluntarily use during law enforcement interactions. The envelope helps communicate important information about an individual’s needs and guides law enforcement officers, promoting greater understanding and more effective communication during potentially stressful encounters.
“I am grateful to the members of our Sheriff’s Office who brought the Blue Envelope Project forward and recognized an opportunity to make a difference in how we serve members of our community,” said El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal. “I also want to thank the individuals, families, advocates, and organizations throughout the Pikes Peak region who have helped make this important program a success. Programs like the Blue Envelope Project remind us effective public safety begins with understanding, communication, and a commitment to serving every member of our community with dignity and respect.”
The award honors Robert Perske, an American author, theologian, and disability rights advocate whose work focused on protecting the rights and dignity of people with intellectual disabilities. Perske advocated for individuals with intellectual disabilities who were wrongfully convicted and helped advance the concept of the “dignity of risk,” emphasizing the importance of supporting people with disabilities while respecting their autonomy and right to make choices.
Kjar, the evening’s keynote speaker, shared his personal experiences living with Crouzon Syndrome and discussed the importance of perseverance, inclusion, and challenging assumptions about people with disabilities. Kjar also produced the documentary Standout: The Ben Kjar Story, which chronicles his life and experiences.
Sheriff Roybal thanked The Arc of the Pikes Peak Region for recognizing the Sheriff’s Office and emphasized the importance of partnerships which help law enforcement better serve every member of the community.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to strengthening relationships with individuals, families, advocacy organizations, and community partners to improve safety, communication, and trust throughout El Paso County.
