Arnold Sponsors Proposal to Expand Officer Training for Alzheimer’s Patients

A House measure sponsored by State Senator Jim Arnold of LaPorte seeking to improve public safety training for police officers recently passed through the Indiana Senate. Arnold said this bill would complement the training officers receive for various situations by creating better guidelines for how they respond to people with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, allowing law enforcement to safely interact with those suffering from the conditions.

House Bill 1044 would require law enforcement officers to receive training for interacting with individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia, a change over the current requirements that only cover missing persons cases. However, Arnold’s legislation looks to provide training through the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy for interacting with missing endangered adults, with further additional training incorporated into annual training updates.

The bill unanimously passed out of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security, Transportation and Veterans Affairs before passing the full Senate, 47–0. The bill is now on its way back to the House of Representatives, where its author will have the opportunity to consider changes made in the Senate.