law enforcement training: syringe access

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Access to sterile syringes directly affects the occupational health and safety of police officers. A study of police officers in Rhode Island found that nearly 30% had been stuck by a syringe at one point in their career, with over 27% experiencing two or more needle stick injuries[1].  A Connecticut study found that needle stick injuries to officers were reduced 66% after syringe deregulation.[2]

Research has established that the behavior of law enforcement officers directly influences willingness of IDUs to obtain carry and refrain from sharing injection equipment. Actions law enforcement may believe are beneficial to the community may in fact lead to increased risk of blood borne infection and other communicable disease. [3] Even where SEPs are legally sanctioned, law enforcement may be unaware of this fact or may believe that they are increasing community safety by harassing or arresting SEP clients. [4] Such actions make SEP clients unlikely to reveal to law enforcement that they are carrying syringes, thereby increasing the risk of needle stick to law enforcement.

Misconceptions and misperceptions between police and SEP clients may increase the risk of needle stick injuries to both groups. In the summer of 2006, with the cooperation of the Philadelphia Police Dept., we organized a training to address these issues with the Philadelphia police. We videotaped one of these training sessions in the hope that it may be useful to other agencies in their outreach and education efforts.