Researchers from MedStar Washington Hospital Center and Georgetown Law identified three practical strategies to balance police investigative needs with survivor protection in emergency rooms, publishing their qualitative findings in JAMA Network Open on January 2, 2026.
The study, “Navigating Law Enforcement Presence in Emergency Departments,” drew from interviews and focus groups conducted between 2020 and 2023 with survivors of violence, hospital staff, clinicians, and District of Columbia police officers. Insights stemmed from MedStar Washington’s Community Violence Intervention Program (CVIP), launched in 2017 to support recovery for those injured by violence through connections to financial aid, job training, education, legal services, and other resources.
Frequent police presence in emergency departments—common for gathering evidence after violent incidents—can heighten stress for survivors, disrupt care, confuse staff, and hinder efficient investigations without structured guidelines. The research highlighted consensus across stakeholders on three key approaches to address these challenges while prioritizing patient safety, dignity, and healing.
First, establish clear policies and processes for police requests in the ER. Structured protocols enable officers to obtain necessary information promptly while safeguarding patients during recovery.
Second, define distinct roles through trauma-informed training and policies. This equips hospital staff to set appropriate boundaries, protect patient rights, and foster more effective, respectful interactions with law enforcement.
Third, integrate survivor advocates directly into the emergency department. Advocates safeguard patient autonomy, provide emotional support to individuals and families, and facilitate police information-gathering without compromising trauma care.
Senior author Erin C. Hall, MD, MPH, a trauma surgeon at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, stated: “When everyone in the ER works together, we can protect survivors and still allow police to do their jobs. These are simple steps hospitals can use today to improve patient-police interactions.”
Hall acknowledged Interim Police Chief Jeffery Carroll and the D.C. Police for collaborative efforts: “Their teamwork helped us create real and practical solutions to a challenging problem.”
Co-author Prashasti Bhatnagar, JD, MPH, a law fellow at the Urban Institute-Georgetown Law Project on Health Equity and the Law, noted: “We spoke with many people who see this work from different perspectives. They agreed on patient-centered and trauma-informed strategies that help hospitals and police meet their responsibilities while prioritizing safety, dignity, and healing in the ER.”
MedStar Washington Hospital Center, operating the nation’s capital’s largest and busiest Level I Trauma Center, treats severe injuries including those from violence. CVIP’s hospital-based responders engage eligible patients early, aiming to reduce reinjury risks and support long-term stability.
While the study focused on Washington, D.C., the recommendations offer actionable guidance for hospitals nationwide, including those serving Southern Maryland residents who may seek trauma care at regional facilities or face similar police interactions in ER settings. The approach aligns with trauma-informed care principles to mitigate secondary trauma for survivors.
