ABSTRACT
Many individuals and families who reside in fragile communities, who seek assistance from police or the judicial system, have histories of childhood neglect, homelessness, drug addiction, mental illness, sexual abuse, frequent incarceration, and other types of trauma-inducing experiences. The goal of this chapter is to acknowledge the concept of trauma and its prevalence in fragile communities as it affects both the way individuals perceive policing and the effectiveness of policing. Trauma-informed policing requires evaluating and possibly modifying police departments’ products and services based on an understanding of trauma and the vulnerabilities of trauma survivors, ensuring that individuals and communities are supported and made to feel safe, all while avoiding re-traumatization. This requires the following included in police training:
