Police Stress, Mental Health, and Resiliency during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic created social upheaval and altered norms for all members of society, but its effects on first responders have been particularly profound. Law enforcement officers have been expected to coordinate local shutdowns, encourage social distancing, and enforce stay-at-home mandates all while completing the responsibilities for which they are already understaffed and underfunded. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on officer stress, mental health, resiliency, and misconduct is explored drawing insight from reactions to the HIV epidemic over two decades earlier and the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. COVID-19 policing is hypothesized to serve as a significant stressor for officers and compound the general and organizational stress associated with the occupation. Avenues for providing officer support are discussed and recommendations for research into the phenomenon presented.

Policing in pandemics: A systematic review and best practices for police response to COVID-19

“…However, research on how the pandemic affects officers psychologically and emotionally is scarce. We therefore take an approach similar to that of Stogner et al [ 8 ] by exploring how comparable emergencies have impacted officer wellbeing.…”

“…Such actions, including lockdowns, travel bans, and social distancing rules are often controlled and enforced by the police, creating additional service demand for law enforcement agencies [ 5 ]. This comes on top of existing duties as the police are expected to maintain order and continue neighbourhood policing operations [ 6 ], all while under a greater strain on resources [ 7 , 8 ].…”

COVID-19 Pandemic and Death Anxiety in Security Forces in Spain

“…In this context, with these working circumstances, where the lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hydroalcoholic gels, gloves, and PCR tests was evident, especially at the beginning of the pandemic, the professions related to the emergency services and security, which are the subject of this article, were included in the groups with a low probability of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 virus by the Ministry of Health [ 16 ]. This situation, together with the new action protocols and the continuous exposure to the virus and death, has led to an increased risk of stress [ 17 ] and death anxiety [ 18 ] in these professionals of the FFAA, FFCCSE, and FFCCS.…”

COVID-19 y salud mental en policías peruanos: resultados preliminares

“…Debido a la situación actual sin precedentes, producto de la pandemia, los sistemas de salud de la policía no se encontraban preparados para atender los problemas de salud mental que experimentarían sus miembros. Sin embargo, considerando el aumento de los casos actuales y los brotes futuros, ahora es el momento de preparar a los policías para afrontar este tipo de situaciones [9] . Es decir, no solo deben considerarse los problemas que enfrenta la policía durante la pandemia de la COVID-19, sino que se debe planificar y preparar para afrontar los futuros problemas de salud mental que la COVID-19 dejará a su paso en el personal policial [10] .…”

“…En este contexto, se sugieren acciones para mitigar el impacto negativo de la pandemia por la COVID-19 sobre la salud mental de esta población, como la mejora de sus condiciones de trabajo, el correcto equipamiento y/o medidas de protección para los policías, con el objetivo de prevenir su contagio de COVID-19 y el de sus familias, la formación de equipos de asistencia psicológica especializada, redes de contención psicosocial, así como actividades de relajación y desensibilización después del trabajo para los policías y sus familias. Brindar capacitación sobre habilidades de afrontamiento positivas ayudaría a los policías a manejar el estrés que enfrentan, sin presencia de efectos secundarios, como un mayor agotamiento y comportamientos poco saludables como alcoholismo [9] . Se espera que estas sugerencias sirvan para orientar la formulación de políticas específicas para este grupo y contribuyan a prevenir efectos no deseados sobre su salud mental.…”