NCJ Number
192742
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 28 Issue: 11 Dated: November 2001 Pages: 52-54,56
Date Published
November 2001
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article reviews police officers' exposure to a multitude of on-the-job health risks and those protective policies and equipment measures necessary to avoid potentially dangerous situations.
Abstract
Law enforcement officers are exposed to many health hazards when approaching dangerous situations, such as infectious and communicable diseases. Officers are entitled to protection from their agencies and departments in the form of training for approaching dangerous situations and the provision of proper protective equipment. Recommendations are presented for police departments to have a health service or police surgeon. Once an officer is exposed to a potentially dangerous situation, a medical specialist, police surgeon, or chief of police should be made available to the officer to reduce traumatic stress. Training programs under the Clark County Sheriff's Office in Washington and under the Staton Island, New York Police Department with a focus on approaching dangerous situations and basic informational awareness on diseases and health risk situations are presented and discussed.