The Violent Arrest Of A Woman With Dementia Highlights The Lack Of Police Training

https://www.npr.org/2021/06/15/ [login to see] /the-violent-arrest-of-a-woman-with-dementia-highlights-the-lack-of-police-traini
It's been nearly a year since police officers in Loveland, Colo., injured an elderly woman with dementia and then laughed at the footage of her arrest. The fallout continues.

Two of those officers resigned and are now facing criminal charges, including assault and excessive use of force. They and the city are being sued in federal court. The rest of the police force — there are 118 sworn officers — is undergoing additional de-escalation training.

The case has drawn national attention to a problem that experts say is widespread across law enforcement agencies: Police often lack the skills to interact with people suspected of crimes who are in mental distress or have physical disabilities.

Last June, a Walmart employee called police and said a woman, later identified as 73-year-old Karen Garner, tried to leave without paying for $14 worth of items. Officer Austin Hopp arrived first. His body camera video showed him pulling up as she walked down a road and then wrestling her to the ground after she failed to respond to his questions.