Recruitment, Training, and Return to Duty for Law Enforcement: Downstream Impacts of COVID-19

Monday, October 16, 2023

8:30 AM – 9:30 AM PST

Location: Room: 10

Submitter and Speaker(s)

Joseph Dulla

Lieutenant (Ret.)
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, California/Bond University
Bluffton, South Carolina, United States

Speaker(s)

Rob Orr, PhD

Director/Associate Professor of Physiotherapy
Tactical Research Unit, Bond University
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Robert Lockie, PhD

Associate Professor Strength and Conditioning, Department of Kinesiology
California State University, Fullerton
Fullerton, California, United States
BM

Bridget Melton, EdD

Professor of Exercise Science, Human Performance Lab Co-Director
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, Georgia, United States

COVID-19 was an international pandemic primarily impacting the cardiorespiratory system. Given its recency, information relative to the relationship between COVID-19 infection severity and the potential impact on the occupational performance of tactical personnel is only now emerging. Impacts of COVID-19 on the next generation of trainees, directly from the infection or long periods of quarantine leading to reduced physical activity, is yet to be established. This presentation will review major frameworks to define COVID-19 infection severity and current research and practice in the fields of collegiate, Olympic, first responder, military, and other tactical professions. Short- and long-term impacts on recruitment, retention, and return to duty/return to work protocols will also be discussed.