Policing during a pandemic: A case study analysis of body-worn camera footage from suspected COVID-19 ordinance violations in Washington state

Abstract

PurposeThis research examined interactions between police officers and those suspected of violating COVID-19 ordinances. It explored the interactional nature of these encounters and how participants navigate these ordinance violations to more effectively develop methods to improve compliance during future pandemics. Additionally, this research addressed a methodological gap by describing and utilizing an innovative method to analyze body-worn camera (BWC) footage. This case study uses BWC footage derived from a police agency in Washington state. MethodsUsing a population of 136 interactions involving suspected violations of COVID-19 ordinance violations between March 2020 and November 2020, this study uses convergent holistic triangulation within a mixed-method research design to extract data for quantitative analysis paired with qualitative analysis of transcripts and BWC footage. ResultsFindings highlight several interesting, previously unexplored details regarding police and suspected violators’ behavior during the pandemic. Results suggest moderate officer compliance with PPE mandates; officers justified the ordinance in less than a third of COVID-19-related interactions, issued citations in a quarter of interactions, and made minimizing statements towards COVID-19 ordinances in a quarter of interactions. ConclusionsUsing convergent holistic triangulation, results reveal how the officer(s) and the party(s) of interest navigated the conversation with a detailed analysis of responsibility, neutralization, focal concerns, and deconstruction of each event. Central to the findings is accurate, clear, concise, and consistent communication. The variability observed in how responding officers managed scenes demonstrates a need to augment communication between and within relevant institutions. Implications of this study include increased preparedness for police agencies in crisis management, particularly as it relates to community interactions.