Trauma and trust: assessing the impact of post-traumatic stress disorder on public perception of police brutality

Abstract

Police officers are frequently exposed to traumatic events, increasing their risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study examined whether providing information about PTSD in police officers influences public perceptions of law enforcement. Participants (N = 140) were randomly assigned to view either a PTSD informational video or a control task, followed by a body camera video depicting either a justified or unjustified use-of-force scenario. A multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was conducted, controlling for belief in a just world. Results indicated no significant effect of informational condition on the combined dependent variables. In contrast, the use-of-force condition significantly influenced perceptions, with more favorable evaluations following justified scenarios. Belief in a just world also emerged as a significant predictor, with stronger beliefs associated with higher trust in law enforcement and lower perceived likelihood of police brutality. These findings suggest that perceptions of police are influenced more by situational evaluations of force and individual belief systems than by brief exposure to information about officer trauma.