EFFECTS OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN POLICING AND OPERATION
One thing that is starkly different this year than any other year is how we kept our strong engagement with the community while using minimal physical contact . Our officers were encouraged to keep their distance and the public was advised that there would be more interactions via phone call when possible . Our Department made sure to emphasize community engagement in as many ways as we could during the pandemic . Social media became an even more valuable tool to keep the community informed and engaged about what was happening in the community
Our biggest challenge was the fear of COVID-19 infecting a whole shift of personnel . Measures were made by emphasizing social distancing , wearing a face covering , and temperature checks . Those who experienced symptoms were tested as soon as possible . This led to longer sick leaves to avoid any infection within the Department , which affected overtime hours .
WELLNESS
At the end of the day , what was seen to be the biggest impact is personnel ’ s wellness .
Undoubtedly , the circumstances presented by 2020 have put a considerable amount of stress and pressure in one way or another on every single person on this planet . Those in law enforcement are not immune to it .
The feeling of being vilified added with the little rest from the increased overtime due to COVID-19 and mutual aid calls for riots and wildfires is a recipe for a mental and physical breakdown .
The Department has ramped up its wellness program as a result by making counseling available at no cost to staff . A mobile app with wellness resources has also been created and everyone in the department , including their family members , and retirees are given access to it .
TAKING CARE OF THE COMMUNITY AND EACH OTHER
While it may seem like police departments locally and nationally are called to take drastic changes in response to what happened in 2020 , it is important to not lose sight of what matters . It is important to remember the service each department provides should be tailored to the community and not to the fringes . It is also important to not forget that within each department , there are human beings . Human beings who – for the most part – want to do their best and are doing their best day in and day out . Though it can be easy to get caught up in the politics , what should be a reminder to each of us is our humanity and the ability to make pragmatic and sensible decisions that benefits everyone .
WINTER 2020 | CALIFORNIA POLICE CHIEF 15