Ohio State Capitol building; Jodi Jacobson / Getty Images
Reps. Phil Plummer, R-Dayton, and Thomas West, D-Canton, introduced House Bill 441 on Monday. If approved, peace officer trainees would undergo two hours of instruction on how to identify the symptoms of dementia and how to communicate with such individuals (as well as their caregivers). Officers would be trained on how how address “the behavioral symptoms of dementia, including alternatives to physical restraint.”
One hour of continuing professional training on the subject of dementia would also be required for officers.
“Those who are suffering with dementia deserve to have trained professionals looking out for them and working with them at all times,” Plummer said in announcing the proposed bill.
West called the training “crucial.”
“Making sure that our peace officers and first responders are equipped to identify and effectively interact with Ohioans with dementia is crucial,” West said. “Our bill would ensure that they receive the necessary training to handle these situations and ensure the safety of our loved ones with this disease.”
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