Arkansas Code Title 12. Law Enforcement, Emergency Management, and Military Affairs § 12-9-126. Alzheimer's disease and other dementias training

(a)(1) In accordance with the certification requirements of the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training for law enforcement officers, a law enforcement officer enrolled in a commission-certified basic police training academy shall complete at least two (2) hours of training relating to interacting with a person with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias.

(2) Practicum training is sufficient for the requirement under subdivision (a)(1) of this section.

(1) Instruction on the identification of a person with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias;

(2) Risks associated with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, such as wandering, communication impairments, and adult maltreatment;

(3) Best practices for interacting with a person with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias;

(4) Psychiatric and behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias;

(5) Communication issues related to Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, including how to better question and interview affected persons to determine the most effective response;

(6) Information on how to address specific aspects of safety associated with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias;

(7) Practices related to Alzheimer's disease and other dementias to promote the safety of law enforcement officers and the public;

(8) Protocols for search and rescue specific to individuals with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias; and

(9) Connecting a person with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias to local care resources and professionals who are skilled in Alzheimer's disease care and care related to other dementias and to encourage cross-referral and reporting of incidents of adult maltreatment.

(c)(1) Training required under this section shall be provided by a qualified medical or mental health provider with experience working with persons with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

(2) The curriculum for the training required under this section shall be approved by the Division of Law Enforcement Standards and Training in collaboration with the Criminal Justice Institute.