(1) The council shall advise the Department of Public Safety, sheriffs and other local law enforcement agencies, senior advocates chosen in consultation with the Area Agencies on Aging, and American Association of Retired Persons representatives in the study and evaluation of “TRIAD Programs” as an effective response to the problems of crime against elderly persons.

(2) The council may consult with experts, service providers, and representative organizations engaged in the protection of the elderly and may recommend the development of “TRIAD Programs” in the State of Mississippi to assist the elderly to avoid criminal victimization through the coordinated efforts of state, county and local law enforcement agencies and organizations which provide services for the elderly.

(3) The council may recommend policies and programs to assist law enforcement agencies to implement “TRIAD Programs,” including training and crime prevention standards and technical assistance. Such recommendations may include the following:

(a) The establishment of a statewide central clearinghouse for information and education materials.

(b) The development of innovative community police programs for the elderly.

(c) The provision of assistance by the council in the development and delivery of training for law enforcement professionals involved in the “TRIAD Programs,” including, but not limited to, the following subjects:

(i) Crimes against the elderly and the protection of elderly persons.

(ii) Police sensitivity to the needs of elderly persons as victims, witnesses or victims of “vicarious victimization,” which impairs the quality of life.

(iii) Availability of social and human services.

(d) The provision of assistance to state and local law enforcement officials and to nonprofit corporations and organizations with respect to effective policies and responses to crime against elderly persons.

(e) The promotion and facilitation of cooperation among state agencies and local government.

(f) The promotion of effective advocacy services to protect and assist elderly persons and elderly victims of crime.

(g) The evaluation of the relationship between crimes against elderly persons and other problems confronting elderly persons and the making of recommendations for effective policy responses.

(h) The collection of statistical data and research.

(i) The establishment of rules and regulations necessary to carry out the above.

For purposes of this chapter, “TRIAD Program” means the triad cooperative model developed by the American Association of Retired Persons, the National Sheriff’s Association and the International Association of Chiefs of Police, which calls for the participation of the sheriff, at least one (1) police chief, at least one (1) member of the American Association of Retired Persons and a representative of at least one (1) senior citizens’ organization within a county and may include participation by coalitions of law enforcement, victims’ services and senior citizen advocate organizations. If there is not both a sheriff and a police chief in a county or if the sheriff or a police chief does not participate, a TRIAD may include in the place of the sheriff or police chief other members of the criminal justice system, such as a district attorney.