ASSOCIATE Magazine FBINAA Q1-2025

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RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION The rapid attrition occurring within law enforcement has triggered many agencies to re-think how they attract new talent into the field. No longer do we see long lists of individuals competing for coveted positions as police officers. Instead, agencies are forced to think outside the box to create a more attractive environment. This approach can and will save lives. It will also improve optics by altering perceptions, as well as improving communication and making tangible impacts on communities. Law enforcement officers need not be perceived only as enforcers. By implementing mission duality into the law enforcement system, the badge will not just be a symbol of enforcement but also a symbol of rescue, further building trust in the community. RISK MANAGEMENT AND COSTS Nothing is without risk. Some may argue that adding an EMS/ rescue role to law enforcement can increase liability and possibly impede recruitment. This is not true. States, counties, and municipalities already insure both their fire and EMS services, so there should be minimal to no additional cost. In fact, risk may be reduced since the added service has the potential to reduce arrival times, save lives and reduce mortalities. Some police agencies have intuitively identified that recruiting can be enhanced by focusing the expanded role to include rescue and EMS rather than by enforcement alone. A recent Seattle social media recruitment effort focused on the emergency services and rescues done by police officers as a compelling recruitment tool. By capitalizing on such successes, they have broadened their recruitment effort and potentially attracted people who might otherwise not have considered such a career. For agencies considering adding EMS skill sets, a deeper dive can be done into the cost and savings by looking at agencies that operate as public safety departments or those that already have police/EMS programs up and running. Additionally, a similar retrospective analysis could be done on officer wellness in these agencies. THE COSTS OF EMS TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT There are costs associated with adding training to the existing basic law enforcement skill set. Most police academies already incorporate basic first responder and self-aid/buddy aid training into their curriculum. However, the overwhelming majority of officers do not maintain any earned EMS certifications and fall prey to skills decay. Some agencies do require ongoing training and maintenance of certification, but these are a minority. Ongoing training can be paired with the fire and EMS side of the house, further consolidating costs . Another cost associated with adding a formal certification such as EMR or EMT is the initial certification exam and required continuing education. Initial testing comes with an upfront cost of approximately $104, and recertification comes with additional state and NREMT costs, along with the cost of ongoing continuing education. None of these are insurmountable, and some may be adjusted by negotiating with the State governing bodies. There is also the risk of national test failure, which occurs nationally at approximately 30 percent. This can be mitigated by providing quality education, tutoring, and low instructor-to student ratios. Equipment is another significant capital outlay. Each provider needs equipment that is stored and maintained in their work vehicle. This gear typically includes a fully stocked BLS aid bag, medications, oxygen, and an AED. Many grants exist, both

public and private, to obtain the necessary medical equipment. Additionally much of the cost can be sheltered by existing EMS budgets as well as local hospitals. Billing insurance for EMS ser vices, done by many EMS agencies and municipalities already, can add an additional revenue stream to defer or cover costs. Expenses can also be offset by philanthropic participation and partnership with industry and community groups such as those focused on violence intervention and prevention. By offering a pulpit from which to speak from,uch organizations can act as philanthropic catalysts to drive this fundamental change that can and should become self-sustaining when the effectiveness of this paradigm shift becomes clear. CONCLUSION Progressive agencies have long recognized the benefits of broadening the police officer role beyond enforcement. It is time for law enforcement agencies to think outside the box and look within for solutions upon which to build a stronger partnership with the communities they serve. This idea may also serve as a way to bring together both supporters of law enforcement and those voices calling to “defund” police by focusing resources on a common solution built on a paradigm shift that mutually benefits the community and those who are sworn to protect it. By expanding the police mission to include rescue and life-saving skills that outwardly value life in addition to enforcing laws that protect it we can potentially bridge gaps that are so desperately needed. Integrated police and EMS programs should be seriously evaluated, considered, and developed to take public safety into the future. Once implemented on a broad scale it is likely we will look back and ask why we did not see this solution sooner. References 1) Seligman ME, Maier SF. Failure to escape traumatic shock. J Exp Psychol . 1967;74:1–9. 2) Tatebe LC, Rajaram Siva N, Pekarek S, Liesen E, Wheeler A, Reese C, Schlanser V, Kaminsky M, Messer T, Starr F, Mis J, Bokhari F, Dennis A. “Heroes in crisis: Trauma centers should be screening for and intervening on posttraumatic stress in our emergency responders.” J Trauma Acute Care Surg . 2020 Jul;89(1):132-139. 3) https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/research/nfpa-research/fire statistical-reports/fire-department-calls 4) Policemd.com Medical Tactics For Law Enforcement 5) Rahman, Akm Fazlur (03/2018). "A latent class analysis of PTSD symptoms among inner city primary care patients.". Journal of psychiatric research (1879 1379), 98 , 1. Pre-Hospital Traumatology at the historic Cook County Trauma Burn & Unit in Chicago. He is a Professor of Surgery at Rush University Medical College and serves as Chair of the Department of Surgery at Midwestern University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Dennis is an accomplished speaker, educator, author and an extensively published researcher with a focus on injury management and prevention, abdominal wall recon struction, first responder mental health and wellness, and response /preparedness to disaster. Dr. Dennis is a 25-year veteran paramedic and sworn police officer having served many communities throughout his career. He is currently the Chief Medical Officer (sworn) and Statewide EMS System Medical Director for the Illinois State Po lice, and team surgeon for the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System SWAT team. Dr. Dennis also serves as a Trauma Medical Director for the Chicago Fire Department. Outside of clinical medicine, Dr. Dennis has founded several companies and has About the Authors: Dr. Andrew Dennis has had a storied career as a leader in academic trauma surgery, law enforcement and in the entertainment industry. He currently chairs the Division of Resuscitative and

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