Tactical Medicine: An Examination of Medical Training in Law Enforcement

In recent years, there has been a trend towards making law enforcement officers more well-rounded first responders by increasing their required medical competencies. The required medical competencies of six law enforcement agencies of varying sizes in Northeast Ohio were examined by interviews conducted with a representative from each agency. Interview question topics included information on current training requirements and the types of medical equipment issued to officers. The study found that all six of the agencies surveyed offered medical training to officers as part of required continuing education, and all six agencies currently issued, or planned to issue in the near future, first aid kits to officers. Many agencies indicated that in recent years additional medical competencies had been added to their agency’s training, including the use of tourniquets, which all agencies surveyed use and the anti-overdose drug Naloxone, which two departments use. Results of the surveys indicate that medical training is now considered a core part of law enforcement training and that law enforcement agencies view responding to medical emergencies as part of their role as first responders.