Guardian Program
The Guardian Program was implemented to assist Law Enforcement during encounters with members of our community who have special needs. This includes persons who are non-verbal or affected by Autism, Alzheimer’s, Dementia, or some other mental or intellectual disability. The goal of the program is to provide first responders with critical information designed to help reunite families with registered participants.
How the Guardian Program Works
Participation in the Guardian Program is completely free and voluntary. A completed application, proof of diagnosed disability, and a recent photograph of the participant must be submitted, in person at the Cleburne Police Department.
Eligibility
- Participant or guardian is a resident of the City of Cleburne and /or
- Participant attends school or works within the Cleburne City limits and
- Participant may be unable to communicate basic personal information due to a diagnosed medical disorder or
- Participant is prone to wander away or runaway from guardian, residence, or school due to a diagnosed medical disorder and
- Guardian voluntarily submits a completed application and photo with all required medical information.
Additional Information
The application information and a current photo will be stored in our secure records database. Juvenile and health information will not be released to the public and is utilized solely for the purpose of providing better service for the registrant and the families involved during times of crisis.
Each year you will be required to update your registration. A recent photo should be provided annually to help identify your child or dependent adult. In addition, the registry should be updated due to a change in address, phone number, emergency contact or the purchase of a new vehicle.
The registry allows police personnel the ability to have access to this information more quickly when necessary. However, depending on the circumstances of the call, officers may not immediately be able to access the information. There is no guarantee that the use of this registry will result in a positive outcome to every police encounter. The response of police officers depends on the individual circumstances surrounding the call for service and the actions of the individuals involved as well as the policies and procedures of the Cleburne Police Department.