www.AmericanSecurityToday.com September 2020 - Edition 48
30 percent of police departments say they furloughed or reduced staffing due to
COVID-19, and these pressures on personnel may result in staff shortages and de-
clining morale.
of those who retire, resign, or fall
ill.
The elimination of in-service
training weakens the capabilities
and knowledge of existing
officers. The need to introduce
enhanced police training, especially
in light of challenges
emerging from the pandemic
and protests, is paramount now.
Issues ranging from responding
to protests, de-escalation
techniques, community policing,
and diversity training appear
warranted. Also, the opportunity
to assess possible new
approaches to policing might
be delayed until the virus dissipates.
Likewise, 80 percent of departments
stated they modified
their roll call procedures due to
COVID-19. Whether such changes
to roll call practices hinder
information sharing, cohesion
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