Police officer response to the injured officer: a survey-based analysis of medical care decisions.
BACKGROUND
No widely accepted, specialized medical training exists for police officers confronted with medical emergencies while under conditions of active threat. The purpose of this study was to assess medical decision-making capabilities of law enforcement personnel under these circumstances.


METHODS
Web-based surveys were administered to all sworn officers within the county jurisdiction. Thirty-eight key actions were predetermined for nine injured officer scenarios, with each correct action worth one point. Descriptive statistics and t-tests were used to analyze results.


RESULTS
Ninety-seven officers (65.1% response rate) responded to the survey. The majority of officers (68.0%) were trained to the first-responder level. Overall mean score for the scenarios was 15.5 +/- 3.6 (range 7-25). A higher level of medical training (EMT-B/P versus first responder) was associated with a higher mean score (16.6 +/- 3.4, p = 0.05 vs. 15.0 +/- 3.6, p = 0.05). Tactical unit assignment was associated with a lower score compared with non-assigned officers (13.5 +/- 2.9 vs. 16.0 +/- 3.6, p = 0.0085). No difference was noted based upon previous military experience. Ninety-two percent of respondents expressed interest in a law enforcement-oriented advanced first-aid course.


CONCLUSIONS
Tactical medical decision-making capability, as assessed through the nine scenarios, was sub-optimal. In this post 9/11 era, development of law enforcement-specific medical training appears appropriate.
Sztajnkrycer
Matthew D
MD
Department of Emergency Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55901, USA. sztajnkrycer.matthew@mayo.edu
Callaway
David W
DW
Baez
Amado Alejandro
AA
D003657:Decision Making; D004634:Emergency Medical Technicians / Q000193:education; D004635:Emergency Medicine / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D035846:Law Enforcement; D020380:Needs Assessment; D016495:Police / Q000193:education*; D012151:Resuscitation / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D012309:Risk-Taking; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014504:Urban Health; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000628:therapy*