RESEARCH
Resistance-Related Injuries of Police Officers
Law enforcement is a dangerous profession . While statistics related to line of duty deaths are readily available , there is no comprehensive reporting system for tracking non-fatal injuries of police officers . Rather , data is spread across multiple databases and workers compensation systems . Because of this , there is a significant gap in the knowledge related to non-fatal injuries and how many of them are related to accidents or resistance-related injuries . A resistance-related injury occurs when an individual resists or obstructs an officer and results in an officer being injured .
This study provides the first nationally based study of resistance-related injuries of law enforcement officers who were treated in an emergency room . While a previous study based on coding in medical records found 35 % of officers were treated in emergency rooms for injuries due to violence , this study examines report narratives to accurately determine if injuries occurred “ while interacting , arresting , detaining or pursuing suspects ”. Between 2012 and 2017 there were an estimated 303,500 officers treated in emergency rooms . Fifty-three percent of these visits were for resistance-related injuries . The majority of these injuries resulted from direct assaults by the suspect . Close to 50 % of falls and over than 25 % of overexertion injuries occurred during resistance-related incidents . With the average cost of worker ’ s compensation claims for falls and overexertion injuries being $ 46,592 and $ 33,545 respectfully , the authors suggested their findings could provide guidance for how officers can better respond .
First , this research supports the need for ‘ considerable attention ’ to be provided for officer skill development to effectively counter assaults . In addition , there is a need for ‘ evidence-based de-escalation training ’. Interestingly , the authors suggested agencies consider the use of ‘ holistic training ’ that would take a more comprehensive , realistic approach to how events occur . This approach would begin with the officer ’ s encounter with an individual that evolved into a foot pursuit and physical confrontation .
68 FALL 2021
Other recommendations were to develop programs for officers to better maintain physical fitness to prevent injuries . They also highlighted the benefits organizations are receiving by using athletic trainers to assist with injury prevention , rehabilitation , and reduction of medical costs .
The authors closed with the need to develop a consistent medical record coding process that would better capture data on resistance-related injuries of law enforcement officers . In addition , more research was needed on prevention and reduction of officer injuries and improving rehabilitation .
This article provides a refined approach to identifying the numbers and types of injuries officers receive each year when dealing with resistant offenders . As similar research is conducted in the future , improved processes can be implemented to better guide and train officers , reduce injuries and the associated medical costs .
Hope M . Tiesman , Srinivas Konda , Julie Grieco , Melody Gwilliam , Jeff Rojeck , and Brian Montgomery , “ Resistance-Related Injuries Among Law Enforcement Officers : Addressing the Empirical Gap ”, American Journal of Preventive Medicine ,
2020 ; Vol . 59 , e231 – e238 .