A New Rochelle police officer’s viral autism awareness campaign reaches police departments around the country.

Detective Christopher Greco started the campaign to bring awareness to autism two years ago for his now 13-year-old autistic son.

He challenged his department to place colorful decals representing the disease on every patrol car and every uniform in the New Rochelle Police Department for April.

He then decided to take it one step further.

“I challenged the Pelham Police Department, they accepted,” says Greco. “They challenged three more departments, they challenged three more departments."

Then, the campaign reached Australia. 

Each department shares its patches on the New Rochelle Police Autism Patch Challenge Facebook page. He says it serves as a reminder that every officer should be trained to know how to help those with autism.

Greco adds, “Identify autistic behaviors. How to de-escalate situations and how to properly and effectively and safely handle calls for service involving autistic children."

While there is no cure for autism, Greco says he will continue to fight for his son and for the millions of people around the world. For those who notice one of the decals, he hopes that they know they are safe.