Medical training for police officers in specialist role (D13): A retrospective review of patient report forms from 2010–2015

IntroductionD13 is a nationally agreed bespoke medical training package for specialist firearms police officers introduced in 2010. Patient report forms are completed after every episode of care provision.MethodsA review of patient report forms submitted by police firearms officers in five regions of England over the five years since the introduction of D13.ResultsOfficers attended a large range of incidents, both traumatic and medical, minor and life critical. The majority (69.5%) were responded to as part of a normal police response, while 30.5% of cases were due to primary firearm deployments. Catastrophic haemorrhage was dealt with in 8.1% of cases including the use of haemostatic dressings and tourniquet application. Airway interventions were required in 36.1% of patients and 50.4% required interventions for external bleeding.DiscussionFrom a background of a minimum of 18 h for Standard and 24 h for Enhanced courses and with regular simulation refreshers, specialist police officers, who are part of a...