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The Injury Profile of an Australian Specialist Policing Unit

Author

Listed:
  • Brianna Larsen

    (Deakin University, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Geelong 3216, Australia)

  • Brad Aisbett

    (School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), Deakin University, Geelong 3216, Australia)

  • Aaron Silk

    (Deakin University, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Geelong 3216, Australia
    Human Performance Science, Melbourne 3004, Australia)

Abstract

This study investigated the injuries sustained by an Australian specialist police division. Injury records spanning four-years were analyzed. The role being performed when the injury occurred, injury cause, body part injured, and injury-related costs were quantified. The percentage of personnel injured multiple times was documented. One hundred and thirty eight personnel reported injuries, 58 of these on multiple occasions. This resulted in 229 injuries and 76 claims being raised. Half of the injuries occurred during operational policing tasks, however training activities accounted for >30% of injuries. The most common injury was strain/sprain, and upper body injuries were 2.5-times more common than lower-body or torso injuries. 1107 shifts were lost, and injuries cost the organization $487,159 (Australian Dollars) over the four-year period. The injury costs (both financial and in manpower) may prompt policy makers to review the current training and post-injury rehabilitation protocols.

Suggested Citation

  • Brianna Larsen & Brad Aisbett & Aaron Silk, 2016. "The Injury Profile of an Australian Specialist Policing Unit," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-9, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:13:y:2016:i:4:p:370-:d:66528
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. MacDonald, J.M. & Kaminski, R.J. & Smith, M.R., 2009. "The effect of less-lethal weapons on injuries in police use-of-force events," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 99(12), pages 2268-2274.
    2. Brandl, Steven G., 1996. "In the line of duty: A descriptive analysis of police assaults and accidents," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 24(3), pages 255-264.
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    Cited by:

    1. Robin Orr & Elisa F. D. Canetti & Rodney Pope & Robert G. Lockie & J. Jay Dawes & Ben Schram, 2023. "Characterization of Injuries Suffered by Mounted and Non-Mounted Police Officers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-12, January.
    2. Xiaojun Liu & Dongdong Jiang & Zhaoxun Hou & Meikun He & Yuanan Lu & Zongfu Mao, 2017. "Mental Health of the Prison Medical Workers (PMWs) and Influencing Factors in Jiangxi, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-9, November.
    3. Liana Lentz & Jason R. Randall & Christine A. Guptill & Douglas P. Gross & Ambikaipakan Senthilselvan & Donald Voaklander, 2019. "The Association Between Fitness Test Scores and Musculoskeletal Injury in Police Officers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-12, November.
    4. Sally Sawyer & Ben Schram & Rodney Pope & Robin Orr, 2021. "Profiling the Injuries Sustained by Police Trainees Undergoing Initial Training: A Retrospective Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-11, July.
    5. Robin Orr & Vinicius Simas & Elisa Canetti & Ben Schram, 2019. "A Profile of Injuries Sustained by Firefighters: A Critical Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-20, October.
    6. Kate Lyons & Cameron Radburn & Robin Orr & Rodney Pope, 2017. "A Profile of Injuries Sustained by Law Enforcement Officers: A Critical Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-21, February.

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