No injury or death to a law enforcement officer is acceptable, and the IACP is committed to helping instill a culture of safety in every agency, extending from the chief executive to the newest recruit. Understanding and tracking officer injuries are key elements of prevention. 

Seatbelt Postcard

Too many officers have been killed in traffic related line-of-duty deaths. The Reducing Officer Injury postcard, developed with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, provides statistics, raises awareness, and educates via traffic related safety tips. 

Please contact [email protected] to request a postcard. 

Seatbelt Decal

Too many officers have been killed in traffic related line-of-duty deaths. The Reducing Officer Injury decal, developed with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, reminds officers to slow down, wear their seatbelt, and refrain from using in-vehicle technologies while driving. Please hand out these decals to your officers to put in their vehicles as a safety reminder.

Please contact [email protected] to request a decal.

Reducing Officer Injuries Study

This 12-month national study of 18 law enforcement agencies sought to examine and quantify the spectrum of injuries sustained by officers. The results documented nearly 1,300 reported injuries, nearly 6,000 missed work days, and nearly $2 million in estimated overtime costs. Examples of key findings include:

• Officers with less than five years of service were most likely to sustain injuries

• Officers wearing seatbelts during a crash missed an average of five fewer days compared with officers not wearing seatbelts

• Officers trained in arrest procedures, tactics, and use of force sustained less severe injuries.

Injury Tracking 

Tracking officer injuries can contribute to an organizational culture of safety. Detailed, consistent tracking at the agency level allows department officials to identify common injuries, better evaluate risk, and implement or improve agency injury prevention and mitigation policies, practices, and training.  To assist and encourage injury tracking at the agency level, IACP has created an online injury tracking database which is being piloted in the state of Delaware currently.

Tracking "Near Misses"

The IACP is a partner in the Police Foundation's LEO Near Miss Reporting System, a voluntary, non-disciplinary reporting system that allows law enforcement personnel to read about and anonymously share “close calls” or “near misses,” provide lessons learned that can protect others from similar incidents. A near miss is defined as a close call and/or unsafe occurrence that could have resulted in a serious injury or fatality if not for a fortunate break in the chain of events.