National Elder Justice Law Enforcement 2024 Summit
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The Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative (EJI), in cooperation with the COPS Office and the Office for Victims of Crime, will host the National Elder Justice Law Enforcement Summit in Washington, DC, on February 7-8, 2024. This will be the first nationwide EJI convening of local, state, federal, and Tribal law enforcement focusing on elder abuse, neglect, financial exploitation and fraud. Over 10 percent of older Americans experience some type of elder abuse each year, and law enforcement is often on the front lines dealing with these cases. The law enforcement community has made great strides in detecting and responding to elder abuse over the past decade. This Summit is designed to build on that progress by providing targeted training, resources, and tools for state law enforcement leaders to share with their communities. The Summit will also provide a forum for state law enforcement representatives to share best practices for investigating and resolving elder abuse cases. |
Law Enforcement Best Practices & Resources |
The Summit was made possible with the generous support and assistance of the Office for Victims of Crime.
Summit Agenda and Recorded Sessions
7:30am – 8:30am
SEC Security Process
8:30am – 9:00am
Andy Mao
Benjamin C. Mizer
Hugh T. Clements, Jr.
Welcome and Introduction to the Summit
9:00am – 10:30am
Laura Mosqueda, MD, FAAFP, AGSF (moderator)
Detective Cherie Hill
Julie Schoen, JD
Law Enforcement and Elder Abuse Investigations
Abstract: Law enforcement is often the first to respond to a report of elder abuse. Yet many things are unique about responding to an elder abuse situation, from interviewing older adults to collecting evidence to figuring out if there might be a memory problem. In this session attendees will learn the essentials of elder abuse and will be introduced to a practical web-based tool (Elder Abuse Guide for Law Enforcement, (EAGLE)) through a live demonstration. Using a case-based approach we will apply this new knowledge and examine law enforcement’s place in the larger context of other elder justice professionals. Emphasis will be placed on partnerships and collaborations that can make law enforcement investigations more productive.
10:30am – 10:45am
Break
10:45am – 10:55am
Gurbir S. Grewal, Director, Division of Enforcement, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
10:55am – 12:15pm
Officer Candice Simeoni
Page Ulrey
Elder Financial Exploitation and the Criminal Justice System
Abstract: Financial exploitation, as well as other forms of abuse, increases the risk of premature death in older adults by 300%. Across the country, reports of elder financial exploitation are increasing dramatically. The need for law enforcement to identify and effectively respond to these cases is becoming increasingly urgent. Through case examples, attendees will learn about ways in which elder financial exploitation is perpetrated, its impact on victims and their families, the barriers law enforcement and prosecutors face in investigating and prosecuting it, and innovative and effective ideas for overcoming these barriers and bringing justice to these deserving victims.
12:15pm – 1:30pm
Lunch on Your Own
1:30pm – 1:45pm
Kristina Rose, Director, Office for Victims of Crime, U.S. Department of Justice
The Office for Victims of Crime is Working for You
1:45pm – 3:15pm
Christopher J. Merkle
Justin Ramsdell, Psy.D.
Recognizing Trauma and Connecting Older Victims with Services
Abstract: The behaviors associated with trauma, whether the trauma occurred recently or occurred decades ago, can influence the interactions of any professional working with older victims. In this session, attendees will learn the signs and symptoms of trauma observed in older adults, providing an explanation for these observed behaviors and how an understanding of trauma facilitates better engagement with older victims, and more positive outcomes related to the success for law enforcement investigations and older adults utilization of services. Attendees will also learn the range of services available for older adults (e.g., Eldercare Locator), and how best to connect older victims with those services.
3:15pm – 3:30pm
Break
3:30pm – 3:35pm
Janice Green, Senior Program Manager, Office on Violence Against Women, US Department of Justice
3:35pm – 5:00pm
Susan Lynch, JD, DrPH (moderator)
Officer Ronald M. Johnson
Beverly Laubert
Capt. Nicole Nappi
Identifying and Investigating Abuse Occurring in Long-Term Care Facilities
Abstract: Across the country, law enforcement can improve the lives of residents living in long-term care facilities by identifying and investigating abuse allegations. Although nursing homes are regulated by both federal and state laws and regulations, there are some commonalities across states based on federal regulation, including the obligation to report to law enforcement when some forms of abuse are committed against residents in long-term care facilities. In this session, attendees will learn about the many forms of abuse occurring in nursing homes, the laws and regulations which govern these incidents, initial steps when law enforcement identifies abuse or receives a referral, tips for working with EMS and for investigating allegations of abuse, and the value of working with partners such as EMS and Long-Term Care Ombudsmen on these matters.
5:00pm - 5:10pm
Andy Mao
Wrap Up
6:00pm
Social Gathering (Off-site, Optional)
7:30am – 8:30am
SEC Security Process
8:30am – 8:45am
Andy Mao
Welcome and Recap
8:45am – 9:45am
Andy Mao
Law Enforcement Listening Session
Abstract: The Department of Justice and other federal agencies want to hear from you. In particular, the Listening Session is an opportunity for attendees to share what challenges state and local law enforcement face in combatting elder abuse and financial exploitation, what tools and resources they would find helpful, and what successful strategies they have employed in their efforts. To foster open communication, the Listening Session will not be live streamed. It will be recorded and transcribed for internal planning purposes only and will not be available to the public. No names will be used in the transcript.
9:45am – 10:00am
Break
10:00am – 11:00am
Richard Goldberg (moderator)
Jenefer Duane
Amy L. Friedman, Esq
Patricia Poss
Rachel A. Yurkovich
Federal Resources to Assist Law Enforcement Investigations and Outreach
Federal agency representatives will describe federal resources useful to state and local law enforcement.
11:00am – 11:30am
Break & Grab-n-Go Lunch
11:30am - 12:30pm
Richard Goldberg (moderator)
Detective Jeff Prater
Rachel A. Yurkovich
Working Lunch: Federal Response to Financial Fraud and Federal/State Partnerships
Abstract: Financial scams affecting older adults have proliferated in the past decade, causing massive financial loss and an untold emotional toll on older Americans. In this session, attendees will learn from a panel about common financial scams committed against older adults, the federal response to those crimes, and assistance for federal crime victims. Federal and state partnerships (e.g., Task Forces, working groups) that have resulted in effective enforcement actions will be described by a panel engaged in such actions.
12:30pm – 1:45pm
Stacy Phillips, DSW (moderator)
Jacque Gray, PhD, LPC
Montgomery County Elder Abuse Multidisciplinary Team:
Debbie Feinstein
Julia K. McGlamary
Captain Jordan Satinsky
Mario Wawrzusin
The Value of Participating on Elder Abuse Multidisciplinary Teams
Abstract: Elder abuse multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) are expanding across the country and yet not all communities are familiar with them. This session begins with a brief introduction to multidisciplinary teams (MDTs), followed by a presentation on the nature and functioning of tribal protection teams and jurisdictional challenges. Attendees then will learn from an experienced team about the value of participating on an MDT. A live demonstration will be provided by the Montgomery County Elder Abuse Multidisciplinary Team showing how MDTs function and the benefit to law enforcement investigations.
1:45pm – 2:00pm
Andy Mao
Closing Remarks
2:00pm – 5:15pm
Stacy Phillips, DSW
Elder Justice OVC-Grantee Meeting (Grantees Only)
