EFFECTS OF COVID-19 ON NYPD AND CORRECTIONAL SERVICES
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EFFECTS OF COVID-19 ON NYPD AND CORRECTIONAL SERVICES
Everything seemed normal until COVID-19 happened. The police departments had plans and structures that were effective in ensuring that security is maintained and above all criminal justice system was well effected in that they played their role of apprehending the suspects and taking to the courts so that they may be able to face justice. This has been the case for decades or even centuries for the case of NYPD. There is usually law and order in every sense of the word, but this changed when COVID-19 happened since everything had to be adjusted to address the situation as it was then. I have had my externship in the precinct. Normally, one would be in need of clearance for them to use search areas since they are usually boundaries that restrict movement in the precinct. Due to the fact that things have not been normal, there was over 20 percent of the NYPD police officers that are not at work on the grounds they are sick. This means that the department has 20 percent fewer members. It is a huge concern in that some of the areas that are regarded as precincts have not been given much priority based on the fact that there are more pressing areas that need to be addressed. It seems odd but certainly this most effective solution for a police department that is already 20 percent short of its normal membership (Chapman & Li. 2020).
Apart from the need to discharge their mandate and maintain law and order, there is a huge challenge when it comes to the need to enforce the social distancing policy that was given with the aim of preventing further spread of COVID-19. This is based on the fact that a huge number of the officer are trying to educate the masses on the reasons why they should not be in crowded places. This is based on the understanding that the more crowded the places are, the higher the possibility of spreading the virus. The enforcement of this order has not been easy in that there are those that are simply ignorant of the fact that they are the ones being helped. They hardly understand that executive order is meant to help them and not any other person. As a result, they have ended up rebelling and having no regard for the need to ensure there is a physical, social distance between them and the next person. It is because of this reason that the department has seen it necessary to ensure that the police are all over the public spaces with the aim of educating the masses and encouraging them to socially distance without really being forced to do so. It is an involving job when the people involved are simply those who believe that COVID-19 is not even a disease but instead a conspiracy that has been created to benefit either those in leadership or those who want to vie for presidency depending on which side of the political divide one comes from.
It is evident that the criminal justice system is currently affected by the police being the most affected part of the system (NYPD, 2020). The release of over 1600 inmates means that there will be a huge rise in crime either during this period when there is COVID-19 or slightly after that. It is clear that the rate of crime will increase and this will mean that the police officer in the department will surely struggle to ensure there is justice based on the fact that the crime sprees will be many which will mean there will be a need for more officers for the suspects to be apprehended (Chapman & Li. 2020). The release of the 1600 inmates will also mean that the whole idea of justice has been betrayed in that after presenting their evidence and ensuring that the said inmates are going to serve their term in prison, they have been released. There is a high probability that the same people will be involved in other crimes.
The whole idea of justice is usually anchored on when the two parties are able to feel that justice has been done. It is clear that over the years, this has been the trend, and it has been well defined to an extent everyone has been aware that once the perpetrator is arrested, then they have to pay for their crimes. This has been undone by the fact that a huge number of people more so the victims that had testified against some of the people that have been released against the normal procedure will be living in fear that those released may still be able to go out and seek revenge against them which betrays the whole idea of justice. The whole idea of justice was to ensure that the victim is able to reconcile with the things that happened more so after the perpetrator has been put in jail. It is evident that out of 1600 that have been released some of them will try and avenge or engage in more crimes taking advantage of the fact that the economy is not everything at full capacity hence there will be few people on the lookout who would have otherwise served as the witnesses during their trials.
The role of the officers working at the precincts has been further complicated due to the increased pressure from the civilians as well as the need to enforce law and order. Even though it is clear that there are areas that are restricted in that people are not supposed to use them without clearance, the lack of sufficient numbers means that in the event someone disobeys the lays and uses the areas that have been highlighted as a restricted one then hands of the officers may be tied due to the fact that they may not have enough manpower to chase after the lawbreaker (Mohler et al., 2020). It is clear that a huge number of people have been forced to go out of their way in the quest to ensure that there is justice for that their rights have been violated. At the same time, the officers are giving their all in ensuring that law and order are enforced as it has been the norm. Even though the situation is currently dire, there has been a personal commitment and even sacrifice from the side of the police to cover for those that are currently sick. The fact that sick officers are about 20 percent of the whole NYPD, the effects of Corona Virus are being felt by the department way much more than many thought.
There are those that have cold cases that are trying to seek justice. Justice delayed is justice denied hence the need to seek justice for the victims, but at the same time with COVID-19 pandemic, there is need to understand the fact that even though the officers are committed to promoting justice, the process of collecting evidence as well as working on the cases has certainly been affected which will mean some delays. In some situations, courts are not working normally, which means even if the evidence was available, then the investigating officers, in conjunction with the prosecutors, would not be able to present the evidence to the courts. The process of collecting the evidence is also hard based on the fact that a huge number of people are not willing to be interviewed by the officers as of now. The fear that the officers may have the virus has brought some fear, which has affected the normal and regular process of working on the cases.
Another key issue has been the fact that the number of visits to the correctional facilities has also been reduced. Even though it is the right of the inmates to be visited by their loved ones, it is now necessary to protect their lives first before the right to be visited can be executed. This has meant that those who used to visit the inmates be it with the intention of checking on how they are doing or even counselling them has been limited to ensure that they do not end up getting the virus in the jails which will be surely catastrophic (Usher et al., 2020). Even though there are those that are complaining that the decision was not lined with the rights and privileges that prison inmates should have, but the reality is that the state is mandated to make decisions that protect the life and property of its citizens. The virus has affected the working conditions of the police in New York City and certainly almost all cities and states. This has been based on the fact that there are more areas that need to be attended to, but at the same time, they are depleted in terms of numbers since 20 percent of them are off duty due to the fact that they may be having signs and symptoms that are close to those of infected people.
In order to effectively deal with the situation, it is necessary that the NYPD place priority on what is urgent and temporarily halt what may not be urgent. This is based on the fact that the need to enforce the social distance policy which is now needed in order to combat the pandemic. In line with the same, some of not o urgent issues such as cold cases can be suspended for some time. This is anchored on the understanding that even though it is necessary to find justice to the families of the victims of the cold cases, it is not as urgent as the case of enforcing law and order during this pandemic thereby the need to ensure that only priority items are addressed at this point in time. The fact that the department is not operating at full capacity simply means that there is a need to come up with some effective ways of utilizing the officers that are available in maintaining law and order.
Another key way of addressing the issues has been the release of the inmates from some of the most crowded jails in the city. Even though some people may have issues with the fact that over 1600 inmates were released from prison, it was indeed necessary to do so as a way of managing the pandemic. There was a high likelihood that in the event a single inmate was diagnosed with COVID-19, then the whole prison would have had the same issue. It was, therefore, in the interest of the inmates as well as the state government for the decision to be made. Another key issue would be limiting the number of people who visit the inmates. There is a need to ensure that there are no cases of the disease being taken to the prisons, even though it may be an unpopular decision but will be effective in ensuring that things work out.
The last measure should be the introduction of some emergency fund that will be given to the NYPD as a way of covering for the extra hours they are putting in to ensure that they protect lives and property at the same time they enforce the executive orders such as the social distance order. This is key based on the fact that many are currently facing numerous cases of burnouts, which have affected their motivation. There is a need to reward them as a way of ensuring that they are happy and motivated as a way of ensuring that they are able to deliver high-quality work throughout the pandemic. The idea of recruiting more officers would have been effective but is not realistic and sustainable, hence the need to use short term plans available in addressing the pandemic.
References:
Chapman, B & Li. S. (2020). New York Police Department Expects Post-Pandemic Crime Surge. https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-york-police-department-expects-post-pandemic-crime-surge-11589032801
Mohler, G., Bertozzi, A. L., Carter, J., Short, M. B., Sledge, D., Tita, G. E., … & Brantingham, P. J. (2020). Impact of social distancing during COVID-19 pandemic on crime in Los Angeles and Indianapolis. Journal of Criminal Justice, 101692.
NYPD. (2020). The uptick in Murders and Burglaries Driving Crime in NYC During COVID-19 Pandemic: NYPD. https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/crime-in-nyc-continues-to-plummet-amid-covid-19-but-uptick-in-murders-and-burglaries-seen/2401556/
Usher, K., Bhullar, N., Durkin, J., Gyamfi, N., & Jackson, D. (2020). Family violence and COVID‐19: Increased vulnerability and reduced options for support. International journal of mental health nursing.