A groundbreaking study from the University of Exeter has revealed that frontline police officers in the UK are more than twice as likely to suffer from traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) compared to the general population. The research also shows a strong link between these injuries and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), raising fresh concerns about the mental health and occupational risks within the police force.

Published in the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, the peer-reviewed study surveyed 617 currently serving police officers across England, Scotland, and Wales. Of them, 38% reported having experienced at least one traumatic brain injury—defined as an incident causing loss of consciousness or symptoms such as confusion and memory loss. This figure is more than triple the estimated 12% prevalence of TBI in the general UK population, according to existing health data from the NHS and Public Health England.

Of greater concern is that 61% of those officers had experienced such injuries multiple times, with 22% reporting that they occurred while on duty. These officers were more than twice as likely to meet the diagnostic criteria for complex PTSD, a condition marked by persistent emotional distress, feelings of shame, and difficulties in relationships. Unlike standard PTSD, complex PTSD tends to arise from prolonged or repeated trauma—making policing, with its daily exposure to violence and high-pressure events, a fertile ground.

Professor Stan Gilmour, a veteran of law enforcement and now a senior researcher at the University of Exeter, contextualised the results: “Police officers are exposed to high-stress situations, physical confrontations, and the possibility of injury every day. The increased risk of TBIs and PTSD only compounds the challenges they face.”

The effects of multiple TBIs extend beyond mental health. Officers reported difficulties with cognitive functioning, fatigue, headaches, and poor sleep. Many also found it hard to maintain personal relationships and carry out routine activities such as parenting—findings that echo the broader literature on long-term neurological trauma.

Nick Smith, lead author of the study, stressed the gap in systemic response: “Many officers are grappling with the lingering effects of past injuries while managing PTSD symptoms. This double burden can impair their ability to work and maintain healthy relationships.” Smith called for implementing TBI screenings during routine occupational health checks and suggested adapting return-to-duty protocols used in professional sports to prevent further harm.

The study also brings to light how police forces are ill-prepared to deal with the delayed onset of PTSD. Police Sergeant Tim Ockenden, who developed PTSD following a road traffic accident in 2022, described how subtle behavioural changes—such as increased anger and anxiety—were overlooked until colleagues intervened. “I tried to crack on like normal, but something wasn’t quite right. He recalled that he would often become angry without warning. Delays in accessing official support pushed him to seek help from the independent charity Police Care UK, which eventually connected him with a clinician within a week.

Tim's experience highlights a critical issue: despite the recognition of PTSD symptoms, treatment pathways remain slow. “You can’t wait six months,” he warned. “If you fail the test on Monday, then by Tuesday you should be getting help.”

This study's findings should serve as a warning to UK police leadership and policymakers. The occupational hazards of law enforcement extend beyond broken bones and bruises—they include invisible injuries with lifelong consequences. The NHS already acknowledges the link between head trauma and long-term cognitive decline, but this awareness has yet to translate into actionable policy for police officers. Introducing routine brain health screenings and psychological assessments isn’t just a welfare issue; it’s a workforce sustainability issue. If we expect officers to carry out their duties with professionalism and resilience, they must be equipped with the same level of neurological and mental health care as athletes or military personnel. Anything less is a failure of duty—not just to them, but to the public they serve.