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Characterization of Injuries Suffered by Mounted and Non-Mounted Police Officers

Author

Listed:
  • Robin Orr

    (Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, Robina, QLD 4226, Australia
    Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Robina, QLD 4226, Australia)

  • Elisa F. D. Canetti

    (Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, Robina, QLD 4226, Australia
    Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Robina, QLD 4226, Australia)

  • Rodney Pope

    (Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, Robina, QLD 4226, Australia
    School of Allied Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW 2640, Australia)

  • Robert G. Lockie

    (Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA)

  • J. Jay Dawes

    (School of Kinesiology, Applied Health and Recreation, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
    OSU Tactical Fitness and Nutrition Lab, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA)

  • Ben Schram

    (Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, Robina, QLD 4226, Australia
    Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Robina, QLD 4226, Australia)

Abstract

Mounted police officers are subject to unique occupational tasks which may lead to unique injuries. This study’s aim was to describe policing injuries suffered by mounted police officers contextualized through comparison to non-mounted officers. Injury data from 01 July 2014 to 30 June 2020 were provided from a state policing agency’s incident reporting database. The data reported the numbers and rates of injuries and classified the injuries by gender, cause, mechanism, nature, and hours worked. Of the 35,406 reported injuries, 35,255 (99.6%) injuries were reported by non-mounted police officers. An annual incidence rate of 338–364 and 626–952 injuries per 1000 personnel were reported in non-mounted and mounted police, respectively. For mounted police, the leading causes of injuries were slips, trips, and falls (23.8%), followed by repetitive tasks and movements (9.9%). Physical assault was the leading cause of injury for non-mounted police officers (21.3%), followed by slips, trips, and falls (16.0%). In mounted police, falls from heights (15.9%) and repetitive tasks and movements (10.6%) comprised the most frequently specified mechanisms of injury, as compared to physical assault (21.0%) and physical exercise (5.2%) in non-mounted police. The most common activities being performed at the time of injury for mounted police were animal handling (64.9%) as opposed to arresting an offender (31.2%) for non-mounted police. Sprains and strains and bruises and swelling were the leading natures of injuries among both mounted (44.4% and 29.1%, respectively) and non-mounted (36.6% and 21.2%, respectively) officers. The leading body sites of injury in mounted officers were the lower back (13.9%) and neck and shoulders (7.3% each), and for non-mounted police, the knee (13.9%), lower back (10.0%), and hand (8.2%) were the most common. Mounted police officers sustained injuries through different activities, causes, and mechanisms and to different body sites at 2–3 times higher incidence rates. Mounted police officers warrant specifically tailored injury mitigation and return-to-work strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:2:p:1144-:d:1029786
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ben Schram & Robin Orr & Rodney Pope, 2018. "A Profile of Knee Injuries Suffered by Australian Army Reserve Soldiers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Eduardo Marins & Ossian Barbosa & Eduardo Machado & Robin Orr & Jay Dawes & Fabrício Del Vecchio, 2020. "Profile of Self-Reported Physical Tasks and Physical Training in Brazilian Special Operations Units: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-11, September.
    3. 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.
    4. Robin Orr & Rodney Pope & Samantha Peterson & Benjamin Hinton & Michael Stierli, 2016. "Leg Power As an Indicator of Risk of Injury or Illness in Police Recruits," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-10, February.
    5. Vini Simas & Ben Schram & Elisa F. D. Canetti & Danny Maupin & Robin Orr, 2022. "Factors Influencing Marksmanship in Police Officers: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-19, 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.
    7. Robin Orr & Rodney Pope & Michael Stierli & Benjamin Hinton, 2017. "Grip Strength and Its Relationship to Police Recruit Task Performance and Injury Risk: A Retrospective Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-11, August.
    8. 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.
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