Now, more than ever, policing leaders and executives must foster the compassionate, inclusive delivery of policing services. To achieve this, law enforcement agencies must engage in proactive efforts to bolster procedural justice within the local community through executive and community buy-in, substantive outreach efforts, and problem-solving initiatives.

Compassionate, inclusive policing efforts that incorporate procedural justice are particularly critical in engagements with vulnerable populations. Law enforcement officers are often the first point of contact for people with multiple care needs such as social services, mental health services, housing or shelter resources, or victim advocacy resources, among others. Such contacts are complicated and complex, often proving to be a significant strain on the police workforce. To effectively address the myriad needs an officer may be presented with, partnerships and positive working relationships with community-based service providers are vital. These partnerships can elevate access to health care and social services for people in need while reducing the need for law enforcement engagement when public safety is not a present risk.

However, law enforcement–led initiatives focused on serving vulnerable populations can be difficult to deploy. For instance, some individuals living unsheltered may relate previous interactions with law enforcement officers to traumatic life experiences due to prior arrests for trespassing, public intoxication, or violations of city ordinances. This can lead to an inherent mistrust and lack of engagement with anyone associated with a law enforcement agency and an unwillingness to participate in police-led initiatives. Broader mistrust issues among bystanders or the public at large may further complicate engagement opportunities.