Sgt. Doug Kazensky (ret.)
Sr. Solutions Engineer
Wednesday, August 12th | 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET
Every day, officers respond to calls involving individuals with autism, mental health challenges, sensory impairments, and other unique needs. These interactions don’t always make the headlines — but they shape lives, families, and the relationshipbetween law enforcement and the communities they serve. When they go wrong, the consequences can be devastating.When they go right, they build the kind of trust that modern policing depends on.
In this panel discussion, Preston’s Pursuit, NAFTO, and Vector Solutions come together to explore one of the most important —and most undertrained — areas in law enforcement today: preparing officers for real-world community interaction.
Panelists will examine why community expectations have evolved, how the gap between academy training and field reality puts both officers and vulnerable populations at risk, and what agencies can do right now to build officer confidence before a critical incident forces the conversation.
Attendees will learn:
- Why special populations — including individuals with autism, mental health conditions, and sensory impairments — requireintentional, ongoing officer preparation
- How community partnerships, including foundations like Preston’s Pursuit, can serve as powerful training resources
- The role of FTOs in closing the gap between classroom training and real-world readiness
- How agencies can identify and address training needs before an incident occurs — not after
Presenters
Doug Kazensky is a Senior Solutions Engineer at Vector Solutions, as well as a former police training sergeant and officer of over two decades. After proudly serving in the United States Air Force as a member of the Security Police, he joined the Longview Police Department in Washington in December 1997. He served in patrol, as a School Resource Officer (SRO), and as a detective specializing in fraud and computer crimes.
Sgt. Dan Greene (ret.)
Executive Director, NAFTO
Sgt. Dan Greene (ret.) spent 30-years with the Chandler PD (AZ), is an International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST) Nationally Certified Instructor, and is the Executive Director at the National Association of Field Training Officers (NAFTO).
Autumn Timmins
Founder & President, Preston's Pursuit for Acceptance
Autumn Timmins is the Founder and President of Preston’s Pursuit for Acceptance (PPA), a non-profit geared towards providing first responders with tools for effective interactions with persons on the spectrum. Autumn is driven, empathetic, and bold, providing her with the patience and strength to advocate for those often less capable of self-advocation. Autumn has navigated the education system hurdles of being a parent of a child on the spectrum and Individualized Education Plans (IEP) through advocation, diligent attention to detail, and resiliency for the last sixteen years and counting. Additionally, Autumn has worked with many providers through Arizona’s Division of Developmental Disabilities and medical providers to get her son the services he needs for his continued growth and potential. Autumn believes advocation and accountability are paramount to growth and reaching for the stars for those on the spectrum. Her advocacy and passion extend to all individuals within the disability community, through her volunteer work with organizations such as the Special Olympics and Arizona Autism.
Lt. Chris Timmins (ret.)
Co-Founder & Vice President, Preston's Pursuit for Acceptance
A 25-year law enforcement veteran, Chris served with three agencies across the Phoenix metropolitan area before retiring in May 2025. His final assignment was as Employee Services Lieutenant, overseeing hiring and recruiting, peer support, and officer wellness programs. Throughout his career, Chris served in a variety of operational and investigative assignments, including Detention/Corrections, Patrol, Field Training, Crime Scene Investigations, DUI Enforcement, Robbery/Homicide Investigations, Intelligence, Narcotics, and Criminal Apprehension. Recognizing a significant gap in autism-specific training for first responders, Chris and his wife, Autumn, founded Preston’s Pursuit for Acceptance to improve understanding, communication, and outcomes during interactions between first responders and neurodiverse individuals. Through education, collaboration, and practical training, they work to equip public safety professionals with the tools needed to serve their communities more effectively and inclusively.
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