Badge, Gun, and Baseline: The Case for Concussion Testing Every Police Officer

Law enforcement is one of the most physically dangerous professions in the United States, and traumatic brain injury is an underrecognized occupational hazard. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, police officers experience non-fatal injuries at approximately four times the rate of the general workforce. A UK-based study published in Occupational Medicine (Yates et al.) found that 57% of police officers self-reported at least one TBI during their career — a rate that far exceeds what is captured in official incident reports.

Where officers get hit

The sources of head injury in policing are varied and unpredictable: physical altercations with suspects, motor vehicle collisions during pursuits, falls during foot chases across uneven terrain, impacts from thrown objects during crowd control, and accidental head strikes against vehicle frames, doorways, and equipment during tactical operations. Unlike athletes who sustain injuries in structured environments with medical staff present, officers are injured in chaotic, uncontrolled situations where immediate medical evaluation may be delayed or unavailable.

The policy gap

Despite this elevated risk, systematic concussion baseline testing for police departments is almost nonexistent in the United States. There is no federal mandate, no standard training protocol, and minimal awareness of TBI as an occupational health issue in law enforcement.

The MAC Alliance model

The Mid-Atlantic Concussion Alliance (MAC Alliance) has pioneered a free Law Enforcement Concussion Baseline Testing Program that serves as a national model. The program uses EyeGuide Focus — an infrared eye tracking device that generates a “Focus Score” in approximately 10 seconds — paired with Sway Balance, a smartphone-based balance assessment platform. The program demonstrates that baseline testing for officers is feasible, affordable, and operationally practical even for departments with limited budgets.

How we work with departments

At Headquarters, we offer baseline testing programs designed specifically for law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and EMS organizations. These programs can be implemented during annual physical examinations or department-wide wellness events. The people who protect your community deserve the same brain protection that athletes receive. See our companion piece on the NFPA 1580 firefighter gap.

Frequently asked questions