NCJ Number
108959
Date Published
1987
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This study presents 1976-85 data on the following measures of police health in Australasia: shooting/bombings in the line of duty, accidental deaths in the line of duty, other deaths in service, nonfatal assaults in the line of duty, invalidity, and resignations.
Abstract
Data were collected from police jurisdictions throughout Australasia as well as overseas to determine any rates of increase in the measures over time and to ascertain whether Australasian police were significantly disadvantaged compared to other groups. There is no substantial evidence that police officers were murdered, shot, or assaulted at increasing rates over the study period. Nor is there significant evidence that the overall health of police officers deteriorated over time. Police officers, with the exception of those in Tasmania and Australian Capital Territory, were murdered at a higher rate than other residents of their communities. They were also assaulted at a higher rate. These data challenge the prevailing sentiment among both citizens and police officers that the working conditions for police officers are increasingly dangerous and unhealthy. Research should explore reasons for the apparent discrepancy between perception and reality regarding police safety and also identify means to minimize the impacts of work conditions on officer health. 2 tables and 6 notes.