Advocating for Older Citizens

Elderly Service Officers Training

Elderly Service Officers (ESO) Training is an intensive, week-long course designed to educate and sensitize police officers to issues that affect older citizens. Funded by the Attorney General’s office, the program educates law enforcement officials to become aware of the needs and problems of the senior community, and to play a more active role in preventing crimes against older people.

Officers who successfully complete the course and are certified as ESOs often become the law enforcement advocate for seniors in their community, especially in small communities where no other officers have had training. Over the course of the training, law enforcement officials learn about the myths of aging, elder abuse and neglect, communication skills and crime prevention programs for seniors. Statewide, over 1,200 law enforcement officers as well as senior advocates have successfully completed this special training.