The Injury Profile of an Australian Specialist Policing Unit

Brianna Larsen, Brad Aisbett and Aaron Silk
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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

IJERPH, 2016, vol. 13, issue 4, 1-9

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.

Keywords: police; special forces; injury analysis; workplace injury (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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