NCJ Number
147270
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 62 Issue: 2 Dated: (February 1994) Pages: 5-9
Date Published
1994
Length
5 pages
Annotation
The role and training of police gerontologists is addressed. The different levels of fear the elderly may experience from being victimized and the leading crimes against the elderly are described.
Abstract
An emerging field of specialization in law enforcement is gerontology. Police administrators in several States have recognized the need for specialists who deal with crime and abuse of the elderly and who work with older citizens to help them minimize their risk of being victimized. The responsibilities and role of police gerontologists and the training needed are addressed in this article. A continuum of fear is described ranging from apathy, which hinders efforts to gain support for crime prevention activities, to terroristic fear, which severely affects freedom and quality of life. Understanding the way the elderly respond to different levels of fear and applying this knowledge to the types of crimes typically committed against senior citizens is an important part of helping improve the quality of life of the elderly. The leading types of crimes against the elderly are discussed including predatory crimes, abuse in long-term care facilities and economic crimes.