Police need specialized training

Re: “Arrest prompts police in Colorado to seek training,” May 3 news story

One question troubles me; how is any police officer expected to “diagnose” a person with dementia? It seems to me that extensive observation and contact with such a person is the only way to have any idea if a person is suffering from dementia or just unruly or trying to avoid arrest. Police officers must act quickly based on behavior. There is no time for analysis.

So many burdens like this are being placed on police. This is not to say that it wasn’t unfortunate that the lady in Loveland was injured.

Bob Bamford, Aurora

●●●

Incidents like the one in Loveland where the woman with dementia was forcefully arrested for shoplifting and ended up with significant injuries cause me to worry about people with other disabilities who may have something similar happen to them.

For example, a deaf person could be stopped for a minor traffic infraction and be similarly mistreated or even shot by the police because the officer thinks the person isn’t responding to them quickly enough or the deaf person’s speech is distorted and the officer thinks the person is drunk or on drugs.

The police must be trained to take time to analyze a situation to determine if the person they’re encountering has some physical issue that may cause that person not to obey them

instantly. Clearly, the Loveland woman presented no threat whatsoever, yet she was treated as if she posed an immediate danger. This could happen to other people with other disabilities and the police must be trained to react appropriately.

Nancy Sharp, Lakewood

●●●

I was married 47 years to a beautiful woman who suffered her last 10 years with dementia. I appreciate the desire and need for police training on the subject of citizens with dementia.

However, if we turn off the volume and just watch the film what would we see? A bully, paid to wear a badge, use a nightstick or gun — totally legal and apparently acceptable.

Did the officer from Loveland feel disrespected by this older woman for not obeying his commands? Did he feel threatened? Would you tolerate someone using that kind of force on your mother?

The chiefs of police in America need to remember what we all learned early in life: “One bad apple spoils the whole barrel.”

Each of us could easily spot a bully even in elementary school. Why not use the obvious to weed out those unfit to serve and give those left to serve an opportunity to serve with pride.

Wyman Nielson,