Today is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, and we take this opportunity to remember the risks faced everyday by the officers charged to serve and protect our communities. From motor vehicle crashes to assaults, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) should be a big concern. While leading voices in the field say TBI support for law enforcement is needed, there is practically no significant current research on the prevalence and impact of TBIs in the law enforcement community. This, however, is changing.
New Federal Legislation Offers TBI Support for Law Enforcement
On August 16, 2022 the Traumatic Brain Injury and PTSD Law Enforcement Training Act (Public Law 117-170) became law with the aim to change things. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will be investigating the prevalence of TBIs and concussions among first responders (police, fire and emergency medical services). The CDC report is due to be brought to Congress in 2024 along with “recommendations for resources for first responders who have experienced traumatic brain injury.”
Last year we shared the TBI stories of two police officers, whose careers ended prematurely due to TBIs suffered in the line of duty, one attempting to apprehend a suspect on foot and the other in a motor vehicle crash. There are more stories out there that go along the same path. With the passage of the “TBI and PTSD Law Enforcement Training Act” officers will get the support they need and the incidents of TBIs among law enforcement will come to light.
Along with the study and resource recommendations, this new law requires the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to “consult with relevant agencies to establish crisis intervention training tools for first responders to address individuals with traumatic brain injuries, acquired brain injuries, and post-traumatic stress disorder.” Best practices regarding techniques to interact with and recognize persons who have a concussion/TBI symptoms will be developed to help law enforcement officers, so that can learn how to respond appropriately.
We needed to talk about concussions in law enforcement. That conversation has begun.
Law Enforcement Concussion Baseline Testing Programs
We at Mid-Atlantic Concussion (MAC) Alliance are proud to offer our free Law Enforcement Concussion Baseline Testing Program to agencies throughout the region as our way of giving back to the men and women who protect and serve our communities every day. We utilize the EyeGuide Focus 10-second infrared eye-tracking technology for this program for fast, accurate and confidential brain health screenings. Having a baseline report on record will give these police officers a valuable road map to their health brain in the event of a head injury.
More About Our Concussion Baseline Testing Program for Law Enforcement
