COVID-19 and Policing: A Qualitative Study of Sheriff Departments in Rural Indiana

Abstract

The main objective of this research was to explore and analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on practices in law enforcement and jails, with a specific focus on sheriff departments serving in small, rural counties in the state of Indiana. This study identified and analyzed various issues and trends pertaining to COVID-19's effect upon jail and offender management, patrol and criminal investigation, personnel and offender safety, public service and expectations, courthouse trial and case management, and community trust in sheriff departments. Semi-structured interviews were employed with current sheriffs working in four different counties in Indiana in this qualitative research. The results showed that COVID-19 has brought to the forefront two major themes: (a) precautions taken by sheriff departments against COVID-19 and (b) changes in the way the criminal justice system works. Findings were further grouped into three categories according to each sheriff’s sentiments: negative (e.g., increase in expenses, loss of workforce, and mental health), positive (e.g., decrease in the workload and decrease in jail population), and mixed (e.g., precautions against COVID-19, changing crime patterns, and trust). The study concluded that COVID-19 caused a wave of change that sent ripples through these communities, the criminal justice system, and sheriff departments in particular.

Policing the pandemic in rural America: experiences from Pennsylvania

“…officer fatigue) and positive effects (e.g. fewer arrests) from the pandemic (Gallagher et al, 2023). Similar struggles were experienced by police chiefs who oversaw departments across Pennsylvania (Gibbs, 2021).…”

“…officer fatigue) and positive effects (e.g. fewer arrests) from the pandemic (Gallagher et al. , 2023).…”