Injuries associated with police use of force

Area of Science:

• Law Enforcement and Public Health
• Injury Epidemiology
• Forensic Medicine

Background:

• Police use of force (UOF) can lead to severe injuries and fatalities.
• The comparative risk of injury across different police force modalities is not well-defined.
• Understanding UOF incidence and injury risk is crucial for officer and public safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence of police use of force.
• To compare the likelihood of significant injury associated with various UOF modalities.
• To analyze injury severity and hospitalization rates following UOF incidents.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, multicenter observational study of all UOF incidents.
• Mandatory UOF investigations across three mid-sized police agencies over two years.
• Expert physician review of police and medical records using standardized injury severity criteria.

Main Results:

• 893 UOF incidents occurred, with unarmed physical force and conducted energy weapons (CEWs) being most common.
• Significant injuries were rare (1.8%), most associated with firearm and canine use.
• No significant injuries were observed with CEW use (0%); one fatality resulted from firearm use.

Conclusions:

• Police use of force is infrequent, with unarmed techniques and CEWs being primary methods.
• Significant injuries resulting from police UOF are uncommon.
• Medical transport is an unreliable indicator of UOF-related injury severity.