NCJ Number
143660
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 62 Issue: 6 Dated: (June 1993) Pages: 1-6
Date Published
1993
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article first reviews the arguments for and against uncorrected vision standards for police applicants and then reports on an empirical study designed to provide information on any relationship between officers having corrected vision and a failure to perform their duties effectively.
Abstract
No one would question the importance of good eyesight in police work, but there is debate over whether or not needing eyeglasses impairs police performance. Some make the case that an officer may lose eyeglasses or have them removed by an assailant, thus impairing the officer's ability to perform subsequent duties. Supporters of a corrected vision standard maintain that loss of glasses would most often occur in close contact with an assailant where perfect vision is not a crucial factor in performance. To test these arguments, a survey was conducted of 92 police executives from throughout the United States, England, Australia, and Canada (attendees at a conference in the United States). The respondents were questioned on the number and consequences of situations with which they were familiar regarding an officer's loss of corrective lenses while on duty. This anecdotal approach was necessary because police departments do not have data relevant to this issue. Of the 92 participants, 48 reported knowledge of incidents where officers lost their corrective lenses in the course of duty. Only three of the reported cases of injury or failure to perform were due to loss of corrective lenses. In their personal commentaries, respondents expressed uniform oppostion to uncorrected vision standards. The need to base police selection requirements on empirical data rather than on "what-if" hypothetical scenarios is emphasized. 6 notes