Policing Law for Disaster Risk Response in Ethiopia: The case of COVID-19

This paper examines the role of police services in disaster response, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ethiopia. Using a desk review methodology, the study involved document analysis and interviews with five members of a command post responsible for managing the health crisis. Thematic analysis of the data reveals that the police have a legal mandate to manage disasters, grounded in various legal frameworks, including the FDRE Constitution and relevant proclamations and policies. The findings highlight the police’s responsibility for enforcing emergency laws, which included regulations on physical distancing, mask-wearing, and quarantine measures. The Ministry of Health specifically tasked the police with ensuring compliance with COVID-19 directives. However, the study identifies significant challenges, including jurisdictional conflicts, overlapping emergencies, insufficient collaboration among command post members, and the political implications of suspended national elections, which were controversially linked to moral rather than health issues. To enhance disaster response, the paper recommends establishing disaster risk management focal points within the police and creating clear directives defining police roles in disaster management. Furthermore, it advocates integrating disaster risk management training into police education programs, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to disaster preparedness and response within the police force.