Resistance-Related Injuries Among Law Enforcement Officers: Addressing the Empirical Gap

Occupational injuries and illnesses among law enforcement officers, 2001−2019: Findings from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation

“…Our study found that sprains accounted for 41% of all diagnoses among LEOs, aligning with a Kentucky WC analysis that also reported sprains and strains as the leading type of injury among public LEOs (47%) 18 . Similarly, several non‐WC studies have consistently reported sprains and strains as a leading injury among LEOs, with proportions ranging from 30% to 60% 3,32–37 . Although this study could not always determine the specific work task at the time of injury, Tiesman et al reported that officers commonly incur sprains and strains while chasing, detaining, arresting, or pursuing suspects 3 .…”

“…Future injury prevention strategies and research efforts should focus on these injuries. Agencies could consider the use of a certified athletic trainer to provide clinical assessments, wellness training, and injury rehabilitation to reduce musculoskeletal injuries 3 . An important finding that needs to be further explored is the high percentage of LEOs with multiple WC claims.…”

“…LEOs perform a wide range of occupational tasks that put them at an increased risk for an occupational injury. Physically strenuous activities such as foot pursuits or restraining uncooperative suspects may be associated with musculoskeletal sprains and strains—especially to the knee or shoulder 3,4 . LEOs are also at risk for low back pain, which may be attributed to spending long periods of time in their patrol cars or due to load carriage 5,6 .…”

“…Physically strenuous activities such as foot pursuits or restraining uncooperative suspects may be associated with musculoskeletal sprains and strains-especially to the knee or shoulder. 3,4 LEOs are also at risk for low back pain, which may be attributed to spending long periods of time in their patrol cars or due to load carriage. 5,6 LEOs may be required to wear a range of items on their bodies including body armor, duty belts, baton, firearm, and handcuffs, weighing between 3 and 15 kg, that could also increase their risk for injury.…”

The “war on cops,” retaliatory violence, and the murder of George Floyd*

“…Building on a long line of research that has investigated the incidence and determinants of violence against police (Bierie, 2017; Bierie et al., 2016; Fridell & Pate, 1995; Kaminski & Stucky, 2009; Lester, 1984; Sierra‐Arévalo & Nix, 2020; Tiesman et al., 2020), recent research has focused on claims that policing is in the midst of a violent “war on cops” that began after the 2014 police killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO. According to prominent proponents of this theory within the media, policing, and government (Barr, 2019; Lahren, 2020; Sowell, 2016), critical scrutiny of police by the public, politicians, and academics led to widespread and sustained violence against police officers (Federal Bureau of Investigation [FBI], 2017; Mac Donald, 2016).…”