Advocates ask Phoenix police for 60-minute training on Parkinson’s and neurological disorders

Brady Curran, program coordinator of outreach for the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at Barrow Neurological Institute, urged the subcommittee during public comment to support a 60-minute training for Phoenix police officers on Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders.

Curran said symptoms such as slow gait, tremor or impaired balance can be misinterpreted during police encounters as intoxication or noncompliance, potentially escalating interactions. “This proposed training isn't just about one disease, it's about building a more compassionate, informed, and effective police force,” Curran said, outlining objectives to avoid misjudgments, improve officer and community safety, strengthen trust, and reduce unnecessary legal and emergency-system costs.

Curran offered Barrow as the content expert and provided contact information for follow-up. Committee members acknowledged the request and indicated police representatives in the room were taking the information for follow-up; no formal action was taken during the meeting.