A-NOD Story Shared At Des Moines Police Academy-Matthew 5:16 ~

This will be long; only read when you have the time. A-NOD was able to share its/our family story with the Des Moines Police Department. Names are changed to protect those sharers of the story.

One speaker spoke about their mental health condition crisis and the Officer’s ability to note a crisis and avert a possible charge. The message to the officers was simple and heartfelt: empathy can make a real difference. When something does not seem quite right, pause and ask a question before reacting. This can be difficult for officers, especially when they must make serious decisions in a matter of seconds, but that brief moment of understanding can help everyone involved.

The next shared story spoke about a painful encounter while in an Officer’s presence. His message was similar: when possible, take a moment, ask a question, and try to understand what may be happening- thus, again, the outcome. 

The next speaker explained that during a crisis, a person may not recognize even someone they know and trust—not because they do not care, but because of what they are experiencing in that moment. The message was warm and practical: if something feels off, check in and ask what is going on. A little patience and curiosity can help keep everyone safer. 

Then it was my turn, and  I began: “One moment of understanding can turn a tense encounter into a safe outcome. One thoughtful decision can replace fear with trust.” In that room, those words felt especially fitting.

Then I introduced myself as a stay-at-home, work-from-home mom and explained that Larry and I had seen public safety from several sides. My background was in social work, while his included firefighting, first response, and corrections. 

I told them our family had spent years navigating our special health concerns and creating resources from what we had learned. That experience eventually became the A-NOD family resource and the reason I was standing before them. I also shared with the Officers that Law enforcement is part of our family history. As such, we had lived alongside officers and first responders for decades, so this work came from both personal experience and genuine respect.

Then I shared what happened about a story about how one Officer made a simple but meaningful choice: instead of escalating the moment, as such we just watched an A-NOD story happen-because of a choice to notice that something was wrong and choose to lower the tension. That pause mattered. As well, that recognition changed the tone,-an example of what A-NOD is meant to encourage: noticing the person, recognizing the condition, and finding the small opening where understanding can happen.

After my presentation, one of the Officers asked if I had our A-NOD Awareness Tools with me,  and I said, “Yes, I do,” I said, and pulled a small yellow A-NOD Junior decal from my bag. This decal, I explained, “is a gentle reminder for the Officers/First Responders upon entering that nods to those within the space that they are entering so that all are safe and supportive from the point of contact to outcome while in that space, then while a hand off to others”. As such, this interaction prompted another person in the Officer's Training room to ask what A-NOD meant, so I explained the letters and the A-NOD-dash in the middle- the most important part. 

As such, The Dash of A-NOD represents all of us—the person, the condition, the caregiver, the officer, and the community—meeting in that brief space where a better choice may still be possible. A-NOD is not a cure, and it cannot guarantee a safe outcome. It is simply a reminder to pause, notice what may be happening, and ask one more question before reacting. So very good.  At that point, another officer asked, “Do you have one for me too?” Absolutely,” I said, and handed him what he was going to use, that one for his personal car. In this case, A-NOD Sr our main decal. 

Standing there, I was elated because this opportunity allowed me to reflectively think about how far the conversation had come. 

To me, that was God. It felt like the presentation reached the room in exactly the way Robyn had said it would—because it was supposed to be there, already known by God, seen by God, and understood long before I ever stood in front of those officers. 

The heart of the presentation asked How can Officers tell when someone has bipolar disorder or another mental-health condition? A person might be confused or acting differently, and the officer may assume drugs are involved.”- “They may not know right away.” So what can be done?  

So the panel answered: be aware of the pause; if able, call for backup or call someone trained in mental-health response  because Mental illness touches officers and first responders too, not only the people whose calls they answer.” 

Disclaimer: As such, A-NOD is meant to help create that pause-the space-” yet A-NOD is not a cure, and it cannot prevent every tragedy. 

It is a gentle reminder to notice when something else may be going on, to slow the moment down when possible, and to ask one more question before fear takes over. 

As such, families care deeply about privacy too. They may not want a sticker that announces a diagnosis to the world, but in an emergency, they still need a safe way to communicate information that could protect someone they love.” Just think of how much meaning can be carried in such a small choice. 

An example A-NOD discusses is one using a lanyard around one's neck that can include one's name, conditions such as ADHD, emergency contacts, and simple ways to connect with —like asking whether one likes baseball. Those details may seem small, but sometimes one familiar question is enough to help someone feel seen instead of threatened. Sometimes it can interrupt the fear before the moment gets worse.” 

Of course one  can’t control everything, but sometimes you can slow it down.” I told the officers about young people who could easily have been detained because no one understood what they were seeing. A parent, caregiver, or attentive officer may notice the signals first. The person may not be able to explain what is wrong, but their body is still communicating: they are overwhelmed, frightened, or becoming agitated. If someone recognizes that early enough, there may still be room for kindness.”

And this kind of awareness matters because it says, ‘I see you. I know this is hard. You do not have to face this moment alone.’”

Reflectively, I pause and think again about the presentation and the long road that had brought our families-mine into that room. 

Nothing was solved in a single morning. Still, something had shifted. There were questions, listening, and a willingness to understand.

For me, that was where hope began-it was enlightening- it was Matthew 5:16 being fleshed out: “Let Your Light Shine before others, so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father”.  

A pause, a light-A-NOD

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