Date

5-1-2025

Department

Helms School of Government

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice (PhD)

Chair

Melvin Richards

Keywords

moral injury, law enforcement, religious coping, potentially morally injurious events

Disciplines

Law

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study is to understand the concept of moral injury among law enforcement professionals. The concept of moral injury was often associated with military members and healthcare workers. Recently, research pertaining to moral injury among law enforcement professionals has grown, as many law enforcement agencies are paramilitary organizations. These fields have similar characteristics, including stress, burn out, and vicarious trauma. As the term moral injury evolves, and the constant scrutinization of policing by communities and politicians continues, agencies should be able to respond effectively to officers suffering from moral injury. Immanuel Kant’s historical influence on moral theories will be used to explain the development of morals and one’s susceptibility to moral injury. Information derived from the study offers a different qualitative perspective rather than the traditional quantitative studies conducted on these similar populations. The phenomenological approach used in the study entails interviewing law enforcement officers in Columbia, South Carolina regarding their lived experiences with moral injury. Potential limitations, themes, and subthemes were identified during the analysis of the interviews which will benefit police departments’ response to moral injury among their staff. Limitations within the study are noted, and future recommendations suggested.

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