Browsing by Subject "Police services for the aged"
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Item Aging Americans and a Changing Mind: Alzheimer vs. Law Enforcement(Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT), 2017) Wesselski, FredAmerican senior citizens are the fastest-growing population in the United States. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015). With the increase of the senior citizen populace, there are challenges not only facing the aging populace but also American law enforcement agencies. The challenges will come from the increase of Alzheimer’s disease and the increase in calls for service to law enforcement to assist the patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The major obstacles in dealing with this disease are twofold. The first obstacle is the increase of new patients with Alzheimer’s, which is estimated to be 500,000 new cases each year (“Sources for Alzheimer’s Disease”, 2017). The second obstacle is the lack of training and experience of law enforcement officers having to understand and deal with Alzheimer’s patients. Law enforcement agencies should be preparing for this disease by providing the proper training. The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) and elected officials at the state level should be working together to mandate training regarding Alzheimer’s disease and mental health for law enforcement officers. The local elected official and Alzheimer’s caregivers must coordinate with the local law enforcement agency to help identify the patients and make known the needs of the patient. Without proper training and information, the Alzheimer’s patient and officers are at risk of harm or death.Item The Victimization of the Elderly in America(Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT), 2017) Ferguson, DavidAmericans are living longer lives than ever before. Criminals are often taking advantage of this and are targeting the elderly in their criminal enterprises. These offenses run the gamut from assault, theft, and identity theft to name but a few. As the number of senior citizens grows (Brandon 2012), police departments should make the investigation and prosecution of crimes against the elderly a high priority. The elderly often fear being victims of violent crime, which, in turn, can make them more susceptible to other offenses such as fraud or identity theft. This is often compounded by the fact that many older Americans are more trusting and are often homebound and eager for conversation regardless of whom it is from. These factors as well as less awareness of the need to protect personal information often makes the elderly prime targets of con men and scam artists (Jordan 2002). There are many approaches police departments could take in helping to protect the elderly. They could train older consumers on what to watch out for when speaking with strangers in person or on the phone. Civilian employees could initiate home visits to check on the welfare and safety of homebound citizens. When offenses are committed against the elderly, police agencies and district attorneys’ offices could make the investigation and prosecution of these offenses a higher priority. These are just a few steps departments could use to show the citizens of their community that the welfare of their elderly is the highest priority.