Occupational Preparedness Among Peruvian Police Officers: Exploratory Institutional Comparisons With Army Personnel During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Christian R. Mejia, Jhosselyn I. Chacón, Adán José Doria Velarde, Leonel Vega-Pérez, María J. Erazo-Muñoz, Camilo Vega-UsecheAbstract
Objective
Non-health care first responders are essential components of public health emergency response systems, yet their occupational preparedness during health crises remains insufficiently characterized. This study aimed to describe occupational conditions before and during the COVID-19 pandemic among Peruvian police officers and Army personnel and explore institutional differences in preparedness-related characteristics.
Methods
A secondary cross-sectional analysis was conducted using survey data from 512 active-duty personnel in Peru, including 352 police officers and 160 Army personnel. Occupational conditions before and during the pandemic were described, including work organization, transportation, training, perceived preparedness, mistreatment, and self-procurement of protective supplies. Exploratory unadjusted comparisons were performed using chi-square tests.
Results
During the pandemic, participants reported increased public-order assignments (26.9% vs. 18.3%), field-based work (40.3% vs. 36.0%), walking commuting (62.1% vs. 37.9%), and longer commuting times. Although 72.9% reported face-to-face COVID-19 training, 88.1% did not feel qualified to address COVID-19-related issues. Masks were self-purchased by 60.5% of participants. Institutional differences were observed in COVID-19-related health status, occupation type, and perceived preparedness.
Conclusions
Preparedness among security forces during public health emergencies requires more than training delivery. Emergency plans should incorporate tailored education, risk communication, protective supply planning, and institutional support for non-health care first responders.