Pandemic policing: Highlighting the need for trauma-informed services during and beyond the COVID-19 crisis

Abstract

There has been a move towards trauma-informed services in multiple systems whose services are provided by police, medical doctors, nurses, teachers, and social workers, to name a few. Trauma-informed practices are best described as understanding the psychological and physiological impacts of trauma in a strengths-based framework. This becomes increasingly important in a policing context during the COVID-19 pandemic. The potential for increased intimate partner violence, child abuse, trauma, and other Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) may have implications for years to come that will impact justice systems, health care, and education. Having trauma-informed police services may mitigate this and provide police with the skills to identify and address issues early on to work towards getting the necessary supports to families in need.