Implementation of policies to bridge the gap between police officer line of duty deaths and agency resiliency

Abstract

Law enforcement agencies in the United States experience line of duty deaths on a regular basis, but unfortunately too many agencies do not have a line of duty death policy. This thesis focuses on locating agencies with viable and effective line of duty death policies to assist other agencies in policy implementation. The research found agencies with proactive policies to help guide leadership and subordinate personnel through the many aspects of such tragic events. For comparative analysis, five law enforcement agencies and three fire departments with varying degrees of line of duty death experience were selected. This research examined formal and informal, as well as written and unwritten, line of duty death policies in use by law enforcement agencies and fire departments across the United States and identified viable examples of policies and procedures. This thesis recommends that the St. Petersburg Police Department and other law enforcement agencies without a line of duty death policy take steps to create and implement a policy to enhance resiliency, readiness, and effectiveness.