Waterford — A new Waterford police program — one of the first of its kind in Connecticut — could help officers respond more quickly in cases involving residents with cognitive disorders.

Launched last week, the voluntary program allows officers to learn about those in the community who have dementia, Alzheimer’s or other cognitive disorders before an emergency arises.

Family members opt in by meeting with police to describe the person’s condition and tendencies and to provide photos. The meetings typically last about 30 minutes.

“We deal with these situations now, where we’re looking for someone who wandered off or we find someone who doesn’t know where they are and how they got there,” Chief Brett Mahoney said. “Having this background will help the officer on scene immensely.”

Mahoney, who instituted the program in part because a close relative of his has dementia, said only first responders and dispatchers will have access to the information.

“I can absolutely see a family saying, ‘Wait, you’re going to put mom or dad’s name in a police database for having an illness?’” Mahoney said. “But we’re very cognizant that these are family matters that people don’t want exposed.”

As part of the program, the Connecticut Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association also is training officers on how to recognize and respond to someone with a cognitive disorder.

Mahoney said three quarters of the force has taken the four-hour training so far.

As with all training, the department had to pay extra to ensure it was fully staffed while each group of officers was learning. But the training itself didn’t cost anything, Mahoney said.

“The goal is to train the whole force,” he said. “But I’m certainly comfortable knowing there’s at least an officer on each shift, if not most, that has been trained.”

He said the agency has worked closely with Waterford Senior Services Director Lisa Cappuccio and Assistant Director Kathleen Pierce, who run a supportive group called “Open Windows” for families who have relatives with cognitive disorders. He said he hopes some of those families will join the police’s new program.

Mahoney said he was inspired to bring the program to Waterford when he learned about it during the International Association of Chiefs of Police's annual conference in Florida in October.

He believes Canton, with four registered families, is the only other Connecticut town that has a law enforcement agency with the program. Along the East Coast, New Jersey seems to have the most vibrant programs, Mahoney said.

So far just one family has arranged a meeting in Waterford, but Mahoney is hoping for many more.

“There’s no limit to the amount of people we would sign up,” he said.

To arrange a meeting, email Sgt. Marc Balestracci at mbalestracci@waterfordct.org or call him at (860) 442-9451, ext. 2282.

l.boyle@theday.com