Intergenerational Trauma and RIP

Intergenerational Trauma and Racism in Policing DRAFT

Intergenerational trauma refers to the transmission of stress, fear, and behavioral patterns across generations, often caused by systemic oppression, violence, and marginalization. When trauma is passed down through families and communities—via both socialization and biological mechanisms such as epigenetic changes—it can influence beliefs, behaviors, and institutions over time.

In policing, intergenerational trauma can manifest as:

1. Bias and Stereotyping: Officers may unconsciously inherit societal or institutionalized prejudices, reinforced by historic cycles of racial oppression. Communities that have experienced systemic violence are more likely to be policed punitively, creating a feedback loop.

2. Reactive and Defensive Policing: Trauma can lead to heightened threat perception. Policing cultures shaped by historical fear or exposure to violence may overreact to perceived risks, disproportionately targeting marginalized communities.

3. Cultural Disconnection and Lack of Trust: Officers and communities carrying intergenerational trauma may struggle to communicate or empathize, reinforcing distrust. This can perpetuate racialized disparities in arrests, use-of-force, and community engagement.

4. Institutional Reproduction of Trauma: Policing itself can become an intergenerational trauma pathway. Policies and practices that disproportionately impact marginalized groups perpetuate cycles of fear, oppression, and racial inequity across generations.

Application: Understanding these dynamics is critical for trauma-informed policing. By addressing both personal and institutional trauma, departments can reduce racial bias, improve community relations, and interrupt cycles of violence that disproportionately harm marginalized communities.