How Does COVID-19 Affect Everyday Policing? : Analyzing Police Perception and Attitudes Prior, During, and Post Pandemic

Abstract

Everyday policing during the pandemic has become critical and challenging. A handful of studies focus on how COVID-19 would change police officer’s perceptions toward police performance and departmental change. This study attempts to identify differences between pre-COVID and post-COVID policing. This research utilizes four domains: Normal Policing, COVID-19 Policing, Protective Measures, as well as, Gender Roles and Social Ostracization, to distinguish key differences in policing. To achieve the objective, this qualitative research conducted a semi-structured interview process with local front-line officers in the State of Wisconsin. Preliminary results indicated substantial changes between normal policing and COVID-19 policing. Moreover, police officers perceived differences in how protective measures were being enforced differently at the departmental level and at the individual level. Finally, police officers sensed how gender roles and social ostracization could affect the atmosphere of departments and police performance. Keywords: COVID-19, gender roles, community-oriented policing, PPE, protective measures, social ostracization