Need Info...please!

[MedicalCop]

Hello folks, I am a criminal justice student at APSU in Clarksville, TN. I am also a NREMT-B. I am working on a research paper covering the need for law enforcement personnel to be MFR qualified for their own safety and the safety of others. I need statitics, links, info on how your deparments approach this, or your own personal opinions. JIMHO- I think Police Officers should have medical cross training beyond first aid because from my expieriance they reach the scene before we (EMTs) do most of the time. And in the "golden hour" every precious minute counts. No matter if it is the life or limb of a suspect, an abuse victim or a down officer.

[firemedic1979]

NJ requires first responder for all police officers when newly trained. There is no requirement for this to be maintained. The original program was called Crash Injury Management which eventually became First Responder.

Check with whatever agency certifies a person as a police officer for statistics in each state. In New Jersey, it is the Police Training Commission. You could prob. get address or phone a police academy.

[thratch]

I agree with your assertion that police should be trained beyond first aid. Many of the officers in our city and county were or are EMTs, and it's a great help when they can call the responding ambulance and tell us exactly what we have. They are also of great assistance when we arrive.

[Rescue678250]

Good Idea Here

I myself am I member of a Volunteer Fire Department. Im sorry MedicalCop I cant tell you where to get statistics however I recommend this approach...

Cops are first ones on the scene usually, especially so if an all Volunteer Fire Department is in place. If they get to the scene of an MVA they wont be able to treat Spinal Injury...and think of how one slip up in that respect could cause death.

Why not ask Police in your force questions as to what theyd do with spinal injury, someone walking around a scene after a car crash (with spinal injury, dont tell them that though) and various other medical cases. I garuntee they will fail miserably, present the results to your chief.

[Rescue678250]

By death I mean paralysis. Even if the lowest part of the spine (the lumbar I believe) gets broken the person could have no use of there legs.

[MedicalCop]

Thanks for all the responses guys! I have found a few studies being done right now by different agencies, of course none of them are finished! LOL! All of your advice has been hepful in taking different approaches though...THANKS!

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