Special Needs Registry

The Pembroke Pines Police Department's Special Needs Registry was implemented to compile and maintain a list of individuals who have “special needs” due to mental or neurological disabilities, and who reside within the City of Pembroke Pines.  The information provided will allow our officers to more effectively interact with any registered individuals with special needs.  We invite our residents to proactively provide information to our department about any loved one(s) with special needs, regardless of age, who may require special assistance in an emergency situation or interaction with our officers.

The Special Needs Registry Program is completely voluntary. None of the information requested on the registration form is mandatory.

Registration

Special Needs Registry Form

To register for the Special Needs Registry, complete the Special Needs Registry Form and return the document to the Pembroke Pines Police Department.  Forms can be dropped off at the PPPD East Headquarters (9500 Pines Boulevard, Pembroke Pines, FL 33024) or the PPPD West District Station (18400 Johnson Street, Pembroke Pines, FL 33029), or emailed to our Community Affairs Unit at cau@ppines.com.  

Parents and caregivers may enroll any person of any age with any type of medical condition or disability, including but not limited to: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Alzheimer’s or Dementia, Bipolar Disorder, and Down syndrome. Adults with special needs may also enroll themselves.

All forms must include an electronic or original ink signature of the registrant.

Please contact our Community Affairs Unit at 954-436-3274 (Monday through Thursday) with any questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible?
The registry is developed with the intent to serve all members (adult or juvenile) of our community who have a “special need” and volunteer to register with the Pembroke Pines Police Department.

As soon as I register, will the information be immediately available to responding police officers?
No. The content from the registration form must be entered into our internal Pembroke Pines Police Department database, and then forwarded to the Broward Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center. The process may take up to two (2) weeks to finalize.

Participants will receive a PPPD rubber wristband with an identifying number following the registration process, as well as a vinyl decal to display on or near the front door of your home. This wristband, when worn by a person with special needs, will alert officers that information regarding their disability and specific needs is available via our dispatch.  Likewise, the vinyl decal will alert any officers responding to your home that an individual with special needs resides there.  Use of both the wristband and the vinyl decal is voluntary.

Who has access to my family member’s profile?
Pembroke Pines Police personnel who require this information in the performance of their official duties will have access to the information. This information may be shared with other police agencies during an emergency situation, or if the registered person is missing within another jurisdiction. There are strict regulations with respect to accessing and disseminating this information.

Can I update my profile if there are changes? How do I do that?
Information can be updated anytime it might bring a significant impact on our policing response. Some examples would include a change in address, or change in emergency contact information.

Changes can be made by contacting the department's Community Affairs Unit at cau@ppines.com, by calling 954-436-3274, or by submitting a new registration form.

How will this registry help if my family member is missing?
If the registered individual is reported missing by the parent/guardian, our responding police officers have easy access to their information through the Special Needs Registry. Knowing an individual’s special needs (including triggers, stimulants, and de-escalation techniques) greatly assists our officers in locating your loved one, and safely handling an encounter.

If the individual is not reported missing, but otherwise is contacted by our police officers, a computer query of our Special Needs Registry may allow to quickly identify and reunite your loved one. In addition, registered individuals who are found wearing the provided numbered PPPD wristband can be easily identified in our system.