NCJ Number
125847
Date Published
1989
Length
109 pages
Annotation
Information from published reports and police agencies in Australia formed the basis of this analysis of the status and trends in police health in Australia and comparisons with other occupations.
Abstract
The data covered the 1976-85 period and focused on deaths, assaults, and terminations of service for health reasons. However, data regarding sick leave and absenteeism were not available. Findings showed a low rate of murders of police officers. In addition, nonfatal and fatal shootings and bombings of police officers were greatest in Victoria, Western Australia, and New South Wales. Moreover, the greatest loss of life resulted from illness and accidents unrelated to police work. Nevertheless, general police health in New South Wales and Victoria was better than that of the male population aged 20-59 years. Finally, retirements related to poor health amounted to 0.81 percent of the police personnel in the Australian States and Northern Territory during the decade. Results indicate the need for measures and reporting systems covering more aspects of police health, for agency investigations of all police murders and accidental deaths, and for continuous officer survival training. Tables and appended tables