Summary
This national survey of 10,897 serving police personnel examined the patterns, causes and consequences of injuries on duty, covering both physical and psychological harm. It included officers, PCSOs, special constables and police staff, providing one of the most comprehensive views to date of what injury looks like across the workforce.
The study found that injuries on duty are common, wide-ranging and experienced differently depending on the role, gender and personal characteristics of the individual. Many participants also described dissatisfaction with the support they received after being injured, especially those with psychological injuries. This report sits alongside the Serving Personnel Injury on Duty study, offering a detailed analysis of how injury is experienced by those currently working within policing.
Why is this important?
Understanding the nature of injuries experienced by serving personnel is crucial for shaping preventative practices, ensuring fair and supportive responses, and protecting the wellbeing of officers and staff. Injury affects not only individuals, but also operational capacity, morale and long-term workforce sustainability.
This research provides evidence about where injuries occur, who is most affected, and what support is valued or missing. It allows policing organisations to better target wellbeing initiatives, training, supervision and care pathways for those injured through their work.
Focus of research
- Map the prevalence and patterns of injuries on duty across all police personnel
- Identify differences in injury experience by role, gender, age and rank
- Understand the types of injuries sustained and the circumstances in which they occur
- Examine perceptions of organisational, NHS and private support
- Inform policy, practice and welfare services across policing
Background
Police work is diverse, demanding and sometimes dangerous. Despite this, official data on injuries on duty are limited, inconsistent or incomplete. Previous research has tended to focus on assaults rather than the broader range of physical and psychological injuries. It has also rarely included PCSOs, special constables or staff, all of whom face operational risks.
This study was designed to fill these gaps by providing a detailed, representative picture of the injuries experienced across policing and how support is perceived in the aftermath of harm.
How research is/was conducted
- Online survey distributed across all forces in England and Wales
- 10,897 valid responses from officers, PCSOs, staff and specials
- Included both physical and psychological injuries that occurred within the previous five years
- Participants provided information on the cause and type of injury, time off work, support accessed, and satisfaction with that support
- Survey integrated open-ended responses, allowing participants to describe experiences in their own words
- Data analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis
Partners and funding
Funded by Police Care UK (formerly known as the Police Dependants’ Trust) and delivered by the University of Surrey.
Timeline
- Survey launched October 2015
- Survey closed January 2016
- Analysis and reporting completed following data validation and review 2016 – 2017
- Published 2017
Results
Patterns of injury on duty
Injury on duty was common across all roles. Psychological injury or mental health issues due to police work were the single most frequently reported cause. Other common causes included physical assaults without a weapon, road traffic collisions, and slips, trips and falls.
Many participants experienced both physical and psychological harm from the same incident, showing how closely linked the two can be.
Types of injury
The most common physical injuries involved fractures, sprains and dislocations to limbs, as well as head injuries and lacerations.
Psychological injuries were widespread, with anxiety, depression and PTSD commonly reported. Sleeping problems and other secondary health issues were also frequently described.
Differences by role and personal characteristics
Patterns of injury varied:
- Police officers and PCSOs experienced similar levels of physical injury
- Police staff were less likely to suffer physical injury but more likely to report psychological harm
- Younger personnel reported more physical injury
- Older personnel reported more psychological injury
- Male officers were more likely to report physical injury
- Female officers were more likely to report psychological injury
- Rank also influenced risk: lower ranks experienced more physical injuries, while higher ranks reported more psychological injuries
Support after injury
Around half of those injured were dissatisfied with the support they received.
Those with psychological or combined injuries were significantly more likely to report poor support experiences.
Most people relied on general practitioners, occupational health or force medical staff. However, support provided by forces was generally rated as less helpful than NHS or privately-acquired services.
Priorities for support
Participants highlighted several areas they believed should be prioritised:
- Mental health support following major incidents
- Better access to mental health services
- Better rehabilitation pathways
- Support from trained welfare personnel
- Crisis financial support and help with specialist equipment
- Respite breaks where injuries affected family life
Support needs also varied by role, gender and age.
Additional resources linked to this research
- Injury on Duty: Experiences of Police Personnel Across England and Wales
- Organisational support and fairness study (2016)
- Former officer injury research (2016) documenting long-term physical, financial and psychological effects
- Working conditions Research (2022)
- The job and the life (2019)
- Police Care UK get help pages
