Details:

Alternative Title:
Policing
Personal Author:
Tiesman, Hope M. ; Heick, Rebecca J. ; Konda, Srinivas ; Hendricks, Scott
Tiesman, Hope M. ; Heick, Rebecca J. ; Konda, Srinivas ; Hendricks, Scott Less -
Description:
Purpose

Motor-vehicle-related events (MVEs) are the leading cause of on-duty death for law enforcement officers, yet little is known about how officers view this significant job hazard. The purpose of this paper is to explore officers’ motor-vehicle risk perception and examine how prior on-duty MVEs and the death or injury of a fellow officer influences this perception.

Design/methodology/approach

A state-wide random sample of 136 law enforcement agencies was drawn using publically accessible databases, stratified on type and size of agency. In total, 60 agencies agreed to participate and a cross-sectional questionnaire was distributed to 1,466 officers. Using six-point Likert scales, composite scores for motor-vehicle and intentional violence risk perception were derived. A linear regression multivariable model was used to examine factors affecting motor-vehicle risk perception.

Findings

Motor-vehicle risk perception scores were significantly higher than intentional violence scores. A prior on-duty motor-vehicle crash, prior roadside incident, or knowledge of fellow officer’s injury or death from a MVE significantly increased motor-vehicle risk perception scores. After controlling for potential confounders though, only prior on-duty crashes and roadside incidents impacted motor-vehicle risk perception.

Research limitations/implications

The study comprised primarily small, rural agencies and generalizability may be limited. Also, although the data were collected anonymously, reporting and response biases may affect these findings.

Originality/value

This study involved a large and diverse cohort of officers and explored motor-vehicle risk perception. A better understanding of officers’ risk perceptions will assist in the development and implementation of occupational injury prevention programs, training, and policy.


Subjects:
[+]
Article Law Enforcement Motor-vehicle Crash Occupational Injury Risk Perception
Source:
Policing. 38(3):563-577.
Pubmed ID:
26380563
Pubmed Central ID:
PMC4570477
Document Type:
Journal Article
Funding:
FSK7/Intramural CDC HHS/United States
Collection(s):
CDC Public Access
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:5ec76724fd2a5b1824d6fcaa13f84c55de565312b66525307f802dbd0b56e88b
Download URL:
https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/34417/cdc_34417_DS1.pdf
File Type:

Supporting Files

• nihms-718324.nxml

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