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Police officers are more than twice as likely to suffer traumatic brain injuries compared to the general population and those that do face more than double the risk of developing complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), new research has found.
According to the survey-based study from the University of Exeter, a connection exists between traumatic brain injuries and PTSD in police officers. The study authors say the findings raise concerns over the long-term effects on officers’ personal and professional lives and highlights the need for better action and support for officers who have sustained a head trauma in the workplace.
“Police officers are exposed to high-stress situations, physical confrontations, and the possibility of injury every day. Adding to that the increased risk of traumatic brain injuries and PTSD only compounds the challenges officers already face, and this study highlights the urgent need for better monitoring of head injuries and their long-term effects.”
Professor Stan Gilmour, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Exeter and co-convenor of the Global Law Enforcement and Public Health Association’s Neurodisability Special Interest Group.
The study surveyed 617 current serving frontline police officers from England, Scotland, and Wales and found 38 per cent had sustained at least one traumatic brain injury – defined as an injury to the head that caused someone to lose consciousness, or develop symptoms such as confusion, disorientation, or memory loss. This is compared to the rate of 12 per cent found in the general population. Of those officers, 61 per cent report they had experienced these types of injuries on multiple occasions.
Researchers found police officers who reported a history of multiple traumatic brain injuries were more than twice as likely to meet the criteria for complex PTSD – which has similar symptoms to PTSD, but may also include feelings of worthlessness, shame and guilt, problems controlling emotions, and relationship issues. In the study, 22 per cent of respondents had sustained traumatic brain injuries during their policing duties and these officers were more than twice as likely to develop probable complex PTSD.
The results found police officers with a history of multiple traumatic brain injuries also face more severe difficulties in their daily lives, including their ability to perform work duties, maintain relationships, and carry out other important activities like parenting. They also reported physical and cognitive symptoms at a more severe level, including headaches, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and concentration problems.
The study calls for assessments for traumatic brain injuries and related symptoms during routine occupational health checks, with targeted interventions for officers who experience both a traumatic brain injury and PTSD.
The findings of the University of Exeter study are published in The Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation.
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