Date of Conferral

1-12-2026

Date of Award

January 2026

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Teaonna Watson

Abstract

The role of law enforcement officers is to restore peace and safety when chaos occurs, which can be life-threatening and stressful as officers respond to the critical incidents unfolding. For this study, a qualitative approach and phenomenological framework were utilized to gain insight into the first-hand psychological experiences of officers responding to critical incidents. Police officers work in demanding environments that can lead to mental health conditions such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Peer support and communication among coworkers have emerged as a potentially important factor, as officers would share traumatic events with other officers. Therefore, my research focused on the psychological experiences of law enforcement officers responding to critical incidents alone and with a partner, which the research questions directly addressed. Nine participants were interviewed for this research study, who shared their experiences responding to critical incidents. Participants in this study described critical incidents as involving injury and mental components, the violence and psychological impacts on the participants, being conscious of the possible situations and gathering information, the importance of safety and communication, and participants reported a preference in responding to incidents with a partner. This study is important for making a positive impact as it expands on the knowledge of law enforcement officers’ interactions with the community during critical incidents that can inform policies and procedures for police departments, focusing on the safety of officers and the communities they serve.

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