NCJ Number
181681
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 69 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2000 Pages: 1-6
Date Published
February 2000
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This overview of issues related to the HIV/AIDS threat in law enforcement activities discusses confidentiality concerns, legal issues, employee assistance considerations, and preventive measures.
Abstract
The potential for exposure to HIV/AIDS in police work remains minimal. If officers follow universal precautions, the risk decreases further; however, fear of contracting HIV/AIDS is still an important factor that must be addressed, because it can rapidly permeate an organization from a variety of sources. Police managers can curtail this fear by responding directly, quickly, and consistently to issues raised by officers' emotions, moral beliefs, and interpretations of their level of safety. This action provides clear leadership and dispels much of the confusion and speculation that may arise. Additionally, anticipating problems and developing appropriate contingency plans spare administrators of having to acknowledge that they did not believe that a specific incident would ever happen. "What-if" discussions, which involve managerial discussions of possible scenarios of police risks for exposure to the AIDS virus, can help managers assess their agency's preparedness for responding effectively to the next generation of AIDS-related problems. Common sense, knowledge, and adherence to established procedures and policies increase the likelihood that officers will perform their jobs safely with citizens who may have HIV/AIDS. 10 notes