Police officers need to train and be proficient in tactical medical training as it may save their life. In today’s society the difference between life and death could be a matter of seconds. Law enforcement officers should train in tactical medicine and be proficient in it as it may save their life.
In 2014, there was 133 line of duty deaths in law enforcement. Of those 133 deaths, 47 were due to gunfire (ODMP, 2014). While all death is certain at some point in our life, some of these deaths could have been prevented had the officer or officer’s been trained in tactical medicine. An example would be in July 2008. A Wichita Police officer was out on routine patrol and saw a suspicious male in the area of a town known for a lot of car burglaries. The officer went to check on the male when the male turned with a handgun and fired at the officer. The officer was struck twice in the pelvic region. One of the shots hit the femoral artery in the officers left leg. Responding officers arrived at the scene. One of the officers happened to have advanced tactical medical training from the United States Army Special Forces. The officer took a belt and used the belt as a tourniquet. It takes about two minutes for an individual to bleed out after hitting a major artery. The responding officer saved the life of the wounded officer because he had sufficient training (Finger, 2014). Due to this exact incident, Wichita Police implemented annual training in tactical medicine. …show more content…
High profile events such as the Columbine, Virginia Tech, Aurora Movie Theater and countless other “active shooter” incidents have shifted the way law enforcement operates. (Morrissey, 2013) Law enforcement administrators have recognized the need for tactical medicine for its officers in certain areas of the
In 2014, there was 133 line of duty deaths in law enforcement. Of those 133 deaths, 47 were due to gunfire (ODMP, 2014). While all death is certain at some point in our life, some of these deaths could have been prevented had the officer or officer’s been trained in tactical medicine. An example would be in July 2008. A Wichita Police officer was out on routine patrol and saw a suspicious male in the area of a town known for a lot of car burglaries. The officer went to check on the male when the male turned with a handgun and fired at the officer. The officer was struck twice in the pelvic region. One of the shots hit the femoral artery in the officers left leg. Responding officers arrived at the scene. One of the officers happened to have advanced tactical medical training from the United States Army Special Forces. The officer took a belt and used the belt as a tourniquet. It takes about two minutes for an individual to bleed out after hitting a major artery. The responding officer saved the life of the wounded officer because he had sufficient training (Finger, 2014). Due to this exact incident, Wichita Police implemented annual training in tactical medicine. …show more content…
High profile events such as the Columbine, Virginia Tech, Aurora Movie Theater and countless other “active shooter” incidents have shifted the way law enforcement operates. (Morrissey, 2013) Law enforcement administrators have recognized the need for tactical medicine for its officers in certain areas of the