COVID-19,distress and potential trauma exposure in the police service of England and Wales: A mixed method approach

Abstract

This study provides an initial exploration into the impact of COVID-19 on the exposure of police officers to potentially traumatic events and their subsequent impacts on wellbeing. Qualitative and quantitative data were gathered from over twelve thousand rank-and-file officers across England and Wales in Autumn 2020, via an online survey. The results not only identify several frequently experienced COVID-related duties and events that are potentially detrimental to officer wellbeing; but that these exposures are related to an officer’s rank and role. These results offer valuable information that may help forces target key resources towards those that need it most.

Keywords

COVID-19 police trauma wellbeing

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