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Police and the Elderly (Conclusion)

NCJ Number
91744
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 52 Issue: 10 Dated: (October 1983) Pages: 1-7
Author(s)
E C Wertlieb; M A Greenberg
Date Published
1983
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article argues that police officers can be key figures in reducing the stress of elderly individuals in both crime and noncrime situations.
Abstract
It recommends special techniques and approaches that officers should use as they deal with the elderly in fulfilling each of their five mandates - law enforcement, law maintenance, crime prevention, service delivery, and protection of civil rights and liberties. Police departments should undertake their own local assessments in order to discover the particular needs, fears, problems, strenghths and resources of their elderly citizens. Officer awareness should be heightened regarding the impairments of the elderly and their skills improved for communication with and assisting such persons. Also, the elderly should be included as a resource in volunteer efforts regarding crime prevention and other community programs. The elderly should be treated with consideration of their civil rights whether police are dealing with them as victims, witnesses, representatives of the public interest, or offenders. Photographs and 62 footnotes are given.