A Phenomenological Study of the Experiences of Front Liner Police Officers Infected with Covid-19

Abstract

People and civilizations around the world were facing previously unheard-of difficulties as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has thrust frontline fighters to the fore of the conflict against this potentially fatal and extremely contagious virus. Law enforcement officers, who persistently serve and protect their communities despite incurring increased risks of exposure, were among these brave frontline heroes. While navigating the dangers posed by the virus that recognizes no bounds, police officers continued to be resolute in their commitment to upholding law and order as the pandemic continues to change. This study investigated, reported, and evaluated the lived experiences of police officers who contracted COVID-19 while serving as frontline responders in Taguig City, Philippines during the height of the pandemic. Eleven police officers in Taguig City, Police Commissioned Officers (PCO) and Non-Commissioned Police Officers (PNCO), who were part of the COVID-19 frontliners and unfortunately contracted with the virus were purposefully chosen as participants of the study. The primary goal of this study is to extract eidetic insights that can be used to develop a proposed intervention program for police personnel afflicted with COVID-19. The findings revealed thatmost of the participants are male police officers, with only one female cop in the mix. Many participants are married and experienced officers, including PCO and PNCOs. They did, however, recover from the Covid-19 virus after some time. All of them have indicated that they were infected with the virus and assigned to checkpoints while operating on the front lines, particularly during periods of increasing restrictions. The responsibility of the frontline police officers in executing health safety measures elicited a wide range of views from participants. Their taped conversations covered a variety of topics, including personal, family, and work-related issues. The officers' firsthand experiences with the virus span from personal observations to observations in quarantine facilities. The PNP leadership's help for COVID-19-infected police officers on the frontlines evolved from planning, support, facility management, and emergency plan implementation. In the narratives of the officers' family members' assistance during their COVID-19 infection and recovery, two patterns appeared. The first was about police officers receiving emotional support from their family and via in-patient counseling. Six themes emerged from the police officers' recommendation for an Intervention Program for those who had been placed in a similar circumstance. These issues, however, may have an impact on law enforcement. Furthermore, competent counselors and training for dealing with health difficulties and crises are in short supply.