Cobb County Sheriff’s Office Earns KultureCity® Sensory Inclusive™ Certification, Strengthening Commitment to Community Accessibility
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April 1, 2025
Cobb County Sheriff’s Office Earns KultureCity® Sensory Inclusive™ Certification, Strengthening Commitment to Community Accessibility
Marietta, GA. - The Cobb County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce its official certification as a KultureCity® Sensory Inclusive™ agency, reinforcing its commitment to serving all community members, including those with sensory sensitivities. Through this certification, the Sheriff’s Office is ensuring that its deputies are trained and equipped to recognize and appropriately respond to individuals experiencing sensory overload, furthering efforts to create a safer and more inclusive environment for all.
As part of this initiative, deputies have undergone specialized training conducted by medical and neurodivergent professionals, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to effectively assist individuals with sensory needs in high-stress situations. Sensory bags, containing noise-canceling headphones (provided by Puro Sound Labs), fidget tools, verbal cue cards, and weighted lap pads, will now be available to help ease sensory overload during interactions with law enforcement.
“Our mission is to serve and protect every individual in Cobb County, and that means ensuring we meet the needs of all members of our community,” said Sheriff Craig Owens. “By becoming a KultureCity® Sensory Inclusive™ certified agency, we are taking an important step forward in ensuring that individuals with sensory sensitivities feel safe and supported when they interact with our deputies.”
Sensory sensitivities are often associated with conditions such as autism, dementia, PTSD, and other similar diagnoses. Individuals with these conditions may experience overwhelming reactions to lights, sounds, crowds, and other external stimuli. The Sheriff’s Office is now better prepared to assist community members in managing these challenges in emergency and non-emergency situations alike.
To enhance accessibility, individuals can download the free KultureCity® App, which provides details on available sensory-inclusive resources at the Sheriff’s Office, including a Social Story feature to help individuals prepare for their visit.
This certification is part of the Sheriff’s Office’s broader commitment to inclusivity and community engagement. Under Sheriff Owens’ leadership, the agency continues to implement initiatives that improve interactions between law enforcement and the diverse communities it serves.
The Cobb County Sheriff’s Office will officially receive this recognition in person at the April 1, 2025, Cobb Community Briefing. Dan Vasquenza, activist and partnership lead for KultureCity, will present this achievement to Sheriff Owens during the event.
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About the Cobb County Sheriff's Office: The Cobb County Sheriff’s Office is a law enforcement agency that executes a broad range of services which include but are not limited to Jail Operations, Court Security, Criminal Warrant Execution, Civil Process Service, Mental Health Transports, Forgery/Fraud Investigation, and Fugitive Investigation and Apprehension. Sheriff Craig Owens took over the office on Jan. 1, 2021, and leads a staff of more than 800 deputies and civilians. Under his leadership, the Sheriff’s Office has the most diverse command staff in its nearly 200-year history and is on the path to becoming the best law enforcement agency in the State of Georgia. To learn more about the Cobb County Sheriff's Office, visit https://www.cobbsheriff.org/. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Download the Cobb County Sheriff's Office App!