The Police Reform Movement vs. The Healthcare Security Officer

Has the police reform movement enlightened police departments to the changes they need in order to be more effective in reducing crime?  It should!!!  The police reform movement has demonstrated that society prefers a different type of police response.  An officer that is trained to and express more empathy, one that is better able to handle difficult people and situations.

As part of the reform process, police departments should take a page from the healthcare security officer operations handbook. Healthcare security officers are experts at recognizing and handling difficult people. They can provide empathy when needed and excel at handling persons with mental health and substance abuse issues. This while enforcing hospital rules and State and Local regulations and laws. Healthcare security officers have a difficult but rewarding job. Sometimes they are act as a rule enforcer, making sure that hospital rules and regulatory laws are enforced. All while helping patients, visitors and sometimes staff who are having life crisis related to life and health issues. Their ability to effectively function in this dual role is a product of their environment and proper training. They have support from the clinical and operational personnel that work within the hospital environment.

The Police should take a look at how healthcare security officer’s function as part of the reform process. What do you think? Can the Police learn from the training and operations of the healthcare security officer?