Policing in the COVID-19 pandemic: are rural police organizations immune?

Mrozla, T. J.

Purpose: This study examined how rural police agencies have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach: Using data from various sources, this study first analyzed what factors influenced agency preparedness to respond to pandemics. Second, it examined how the pandemic influenced specific organizational practices. Findings: Findings revealed that as coronavirus infections increased in counties, supervisors were more likely be tasked with inspecting personal protective equipment (PPE), agencies were more likely to offer pandemic related training, health tracking of officers was more likely to occur and agencies were more likely to encounter a shortage of officers. In addition, as rurality increased, agencies were more likely to offer training but less likely to experience officers contracting COVID-19 and an officer shortage. Lastly, as the rurality of the county in which the agency resides increased, the ability to supply PPE decreased. Practical implications: Based on these findings, it is imperative that rural police agencies give attention to risk management and the formulation of policy to prepare for public health emergencies. Originality/value: While knowledge about how large police agencies in the United States have responded during the coronavirus pandemic is building, little is known about rural policing during pandemics. © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited.