DOJ to Launch Online Training for Cops on Interacting with People with Dementia by 2026

The new Alzheimer’s Law Enforcement Education Act of 2025 is straightforward: it mandates the creation of a specialized, online training course for law enforcement and corrections personnel focused on interacting safely and effectively with individuals who have Alzheimer’s disease or similar forms of dementia. Within one year of the law’s enactment, the Director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) at the Department of Justice must develop this course, coordinating closely with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This collaboration ensures the training is grounded in both public safety and clinical expertise.

When Policy Meets Reality: De-escalation Skills

For anyone who has a parent or loved one dealing with dementia, the potential for a misunderstanding during a routine interaction with law enforcement is a real fear. This bill directly addresses that anxiety by requiring the training to cover specific, practical skills. Officers will learn how to recognize the behavioral signs of cognitive impairment and how to communicate effectively with affected individuals, which often requires patience and specific de-escalation techniques. The goal is to move past simple enforcement and toward understanding.

Crucially, the course emphasizes teaching officers alternatives to physical restraints. When dealing with someone who is confused or disoriented due to dementia, traditional physical interventions can often escalate a situation unnecessarily. By providing officers with specialized tools and communication strategies, the law aims to reduce injury risks for both the individual and the officer, making community interactions safer for everyone involved.

The Watchful Eye: Spotting Abuse and Neglect

Beyond basic interaction, the training also focuses on a critical public safety component: teaching officers how to spot signs of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of people with dementia. If an officer encounters an individual during a wellness check or a minor incident, this training will equip them to recognize red flags that might otherwise be missed. This means law enforcement can become a more effective part of the elder care safety net, identifying vulnerable individuals who may be suffering in silence and connecting them with necessary protective services.

Making Training Count

One smart feature of this legislation is how it handles implementation. The Director of COPS is tasked with recommending that state departments count the time spent completing this online course toward the required continuing education hours for law enforcement, correctional, and correctional probation officers. This is key because it incentivizes busy agencies and officers to take the training seriously without imposing a rigid, unfunded mandate. For an officer needing 40 hours of annual training, getting credit for this specialized dementia course makes it an easy choice, ensuring the knowledge actually reaches the street level where it’s needed most.