MOBILE POLICE DEPARARMENT TRAINED IN SEIZURE RECOGNITION

All Mobile Police men have just completed annual in-service training. This year a new training module was included in in-service training—“Seizure Recognition/Seizure First Aid”—the Law Enforcement Initiative—a new national Epilepsy Foundation Training Program. The purpose of the seizure training is to educate law enforcement personnel in how to recognize an individual in seizure, how to treat and handle a seizure, and a person in seizure cannot respond to instructions and commands, because the person is not in control of their behavior during a seizure. Mobile Police Chief Phillip Garrett adapted this Epilepsy Foundation Program to be included in police officer’s annual in-service training and to be included in the police academy curriculum... Chief Garrett said,” My experienced seasoned police have difficulty in recognizing seizures.”

On any given shift, law enforcement officers may encounter persons exhibiting confused behavior, an inability to communicate, or a variety of behaviors inappropriate to time and place. There may be many causes of such behavior—some illegal and some medical. Some of these episodes will be the result of seizures. Seizures are episodes of altered brain awareness or movement caused by temporary, abnormal electrical discharges in the brain. Seizures may occur because a person has epilepsy, diabetes or as a consequence of drug use or some other medical problem. Seizures are common among homeless people and people who use certain illegal drugs.

Whatever the cause of the seizure, the event itself is a disabling condition and requires a police response that recognizes the involuntary nature of the episode and the inability of the individual involved to make conscious decisions or respond to directions from a law enforcement officer. Police may interpret this behavior as conscious actions, and may respond with force.

The key to appropriate law enforcement response to the three million Americans who have epilepsy is training in how to recognize seizures, correct response to seizures, and the unique needs of people with epilepsy who are taken into custody...

The Epilepsy Foundation recognizes the growing need to provide information to law enforcement officers regarding key issues involved in police response to individuals with epilepsy and to calls relating to seizures. The training in seizure recognition is a guideline for law enforcement personnel.

Under the direction of Lt. Keith Stallings, Commander of the Fire Arms Unit and Cindy Morris, Training Specialist, Mobile Police Officers and Mobile Police Academy Cadets participating in the training program rated and evaluated the program. Program evaluation and questionnaire forms completed by the police offices reflected an average rating of all questions 4.5 or higher to all questions branding the program very successful. This program is to be offered to all Alabama Law Enforcement personnel.

The Epilepsy Foundation of Alabama is a statewide agency, serving all Alabama residents with seizure programs. For information contact: Epilepsy Foundation of Alabama, 273 Azalea Road, Suite 310, Office Park 3, Mobile, Alabama , 36609., 1-800-626-1582 or 221-341-0170.

Caroline Foster is the Director of Public Relations/Community Education at the Epilepsy Foundation of Alabama. . Caroline Foster served on the National Epilepsy Foundation Committee that developed this Law Enforcement Initiative

Photo—Courtesy of Dana Godwin, Mobile Police Department

Our Mission

The Epilepsy Foundation ofAlabama is a voluntary, nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals affected by epilepsy in 28 counties acrossAlabama.

A nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization, the Epilepsy Foundation ofAlabama has as its mission to educate and support individuals with epilepsy and their families, to increase awareness in the general community and to facilitate prevention and management of epilepsy. This includes providing services and programs for people with epilepsy and their families; educating and increasing awareness about epilepsy; providing leadership in advocacy for epilepsy issues and collaborating with other community resources in support of the mission of the people with seizure disorders.

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