18 Aug Essex Police in #Tendring work to support those with dementia
Police officers and staff are working to support those with dementia and their families by training as Dementia Friends and Dementia Champions
Earlier this year, Essex Police signed up to the Essex Dementia Action Alliance to contribute towards a society-wide response to dementia.
It pledged to train frontline officers and staff countywide as Dementia Friends by equipping them with a wider understanding of what it is like to live with dementia and how to turn that understanding into a meaningful action. We currently have over 155 officers and staff trained as Dementia Friends across the force.
Tendring police officers and staff have taken steps to increase their awareness of dementia in order to best support the communities that the serve. This is a force-wide initiative that is currently being carried out to increase the awareness of dementia in Essex.
The team in Tendring have been part of several multi-agency steering groups this year with the Tendring Dementia Action Alliance along with Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and local care homes and organisations. The aim of the steering group is for partners to work together on projects that will best serve their local community.
Across the county, officers and staff may come across people with dementia, either as missing people or as victims, witnesses or suspects and it is important that they are aware of dementia and its symptoms. Many of Missing Persons Liaison Officers (MPLOs) throughout Essex have been trained as Dementia Champions to better support missing persons with dementia and their families.
David Gillies, Crime Prevention Tactical Advisor with Essex Police promotes a better understanding of dementia and has actively encouraged officers and staff to become Dementia Friends.
As part of his work to help officers deal with incidents involving a person with dementia, David has been signposting people to material about dementia and encouraging them to learn more about the condition in order to better equip themselves when an incident arises.
David said: “My father lived with dementia for a number of years, so I know how difficult it can be difficult managing everyday situations, particularly as the dementia progresses and families may not be close by to provide support, leaving that person vulnerable to crime.
“As a result, some people may not be as safe at home as they used to be. The hope is that by setting up the multi-agency partnership, officers will be more confident when dealing with someone who is living with dementia. I encourage officers and staff to become dementia friends by going on the web site www.dementiafriends.org.uk.”
