Police Professional Liability: Policy Fitness & Injury Rates

Police officers represent one of the most dangerous occupations. In addition to potential casualties, the rate of nonfatal occupational injury and illness cases to workers in the top five occupations account for nearly 20 percent of days-away-from-work-cases in 2011. Police officers in particular have an incidence rate per 10,000 full-time workers that was five times greater than for all occupations.

Some of the dangers and injury potential hat police officers face is inevitable. Others are safeguarded by extensive safety protocol and procedures. However according to the Police Chief, law enforcement officers could benefit from another effort- regular physical activity. A study by the Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research showed that officers’ average fitness levels were below normal.

Officers have a greater mortality rate than the general public. In addition to danger they face in the field, officers face cardiovascular problems as well. The risk of having a heart attack doubles with each decade of law enforcement service. Officers also suffer more job-related stress than people in other occupations. Making split-second, life-saving decisions, long hours and interactivity with individuals who are upset, uncooperative or angry all take a toll on individuals. Job-related stress can have a significant effect on the physical, emotional and mental well-being of officers.

Exercise can help reduce the impact of all of these conditions. It can improve stress levels, boost energy and increase an overall sense of well-being. National injury, accident and illness data has shown that 20 percent of the average law enforcement agency’s workforce is responsible for 80 percent of the costs of the accidents. Physical fitness can help prevent accidents, injuries and illness on the job. A lack of physical fitness is also a major contributor to early disability- continued exercise can help reduce not only medical costs but can help extend your career.

At Professional Governmental Underwriters, our Police Professional program is uniquely designed for law enforcement officers. Our program is designed for city, borough, village, township and county police and sheriff departments serving populations less than 100,000. For more information, please contact us today.