Local responses to a global problem: How the police can improve planning and preparation for the consequences of climate change

Take home messages
• Practitioners and leaders from strategic, tactical, and operational levels of emergency and contingency planning highlighted four key areas of concern: awareness of climate change impacts, why the police should care, levels of prioritization and preparation, and enabling and impeding factors to preparedness.
• Challenges were identified for effective planning and preparedness including: a narrow focus on legal requirements and specified climate-related risks (e.g., flooding and drought), short-term planning cycles (4-5 years), lack of funding and resources, and inadequate strategic vision and leadership.
• Recommendations: review and redefine planning parameters, enhance central government engagement, increase awareness of the scope of climate-related threats, prioritize future-oriented thinking and leadership, consider ethical implications for communities, and engage in collaborative planning and scenario testing on broader climate-related threats.