EXAMINATION OF POLICE PERSONNEL (FROM NEW POLICE SURGEON - A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO CLINICAL FORENSIC MEDICINE, 1978, BY H S BURGES AND J E HILTON - SEE NCJ-61742)

• NCJ Number: 61745
• Author(s): W D S MACLAY
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 16 pages
• Corporate Author: Hutchinson Benham Ltd
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

CRITERIA AND PROCEDURES USED BY THE POLICE SURGEON IN EXAMINATION OF POLICE PERSONNEL ARE PRESENTED; MEDICAL HISTORY, EXAMINATION ORGANIZATION, SPECIAL CATEGORY EXAMINATIONS AND HAZARD EXPOSURE ARE EMPHASIZED.

Abstract

THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THE EXAMINATION IS TO EVALUATE THE POLICE RECRUIT'S SUITABILITY FOR THE FORCE; ANY RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE POLICE AUTHORITY SHOULD BE GIVEN PROMPTLY BUT THE GROUNDS FOR ARRIVING AT THE DECISION ARE CONFIDENTIAL. EXAMINATIONS SHOULD BE CONDUCTED WITHIN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT PREMISES, IF POSSIBLE, AND SEVERAL CANDIDATES SHOULD BE SCHEDULED FOR EACH SESSION. MEDICAL REPORT FORMS, WHICH INCLUDE SUCH INFORMATION AS THE PRESENCE OF ULCERS, HEART DISEASE, VARICOSE VEINS AND SIGNIFICANT MEDICAL HISTORY, SHOULD BE COMPLETED DURING THE EXAMINATION. THE MALE RECRUIT MUST BE AT LEAST 5 FEET 8 INCHES; THE MINIMUM HEIGHT FOR FEMALES IS 5 FEET 4 INCHES. SPECIFIC ATTENTION SHOULD BE DEVOTED TO POSSIBLE MENTAL ILLNESS INDICATORS, HISTORY OR EXCESSIVE SMOKING OR ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION, AND INDIGESTION. EXTREMES OF BODILY HABITUS, SUCH AS OBESITY, RENDER THE CANDIDATE UNACCEPTABLE. NEATNESS AND BODILY CLEANLINESS FREQUENTLY INDICATE DESIRABLE TYPES. POINTS OF IMPORTANCE IN EXAMINATION OF THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM ARE REGULARITY AND NORMALITY OF THE PULSE AND ABSENCE OF CLINICAL INDICATION OF ENLARGEMENT OR DISPLACEMENT OF THE LEFT VENTRICLE. RESPIRATORY EXAMINATION INCLUDING A CHEST X-RAY, ABDOMINAL EVALUATION FOR POSSIBLE HERNIA, SNELLENS VISION TESTING, AND BLOOD SUGAR TESTS SHOULD BE CONDUCTED. SPECIAL CATEGORY EXAMINATIONS, WITH SPECIFIED ADDITIONAL CRITERIA, ARE REQUIRED FOR TRAFFIC OFFICERS AND UNDERWATER UNIT PERSONNEL, AMONG OTHERS. CADETS ARE SUBJECT TO A PHYSICAL EXAMINATION TWICE YEARLY. THOSE OFFICERS EXPOSED TO HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES, SUCH AS INDOOR SHOOTING RANGE INSTRUCTORS, SHOULD BE EVALUATED FOR POSSIBLE LEAD ABSORPTION IN THE BLOOD. ILLNESS OR RESULTS OF AN INJURY WHICH ARE DISABLING OR CAUSE PROLONGED OR RECURRENT ABSENCE FROM DUTY MAY LEAD TO DISCHARGE. (LWM)