Law Enforcement in Public Health Emergencies

Abstract

Several emergency public health issues have a tremendous impact on and rely upon close coordination with law enforcement officials. Most interactions involve law enforcement personnel providing security, crowd control, and/or traffic control during public health related incidents. However, as varied chemical and biological threats have emerged over the years, this interaction has increased to include joint investigations between the two disciplines. Certain biological threats, such as pandemics, pose direct threats to the law enforcement agency operations. Understanding the role of public health in emergencies, the overlapping missions, and the threats at all levels allows law enforcement professionals to better prepare themselves and their organizations for coordinating operations and maintaining continuity of law enforcement services.

Citation

Bailey, B. (2021), "Law Enforcement in Public Health Emergencies", Landahl, M.R. and Thornton, T.E. (Ed.) The Role of Law Enforcement in Emergency Management and Homeland Security (Community, Environment and Disaster Risk Management, Vol. 24), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 235-258. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2040-726220210000024013