While citizen brain injuries from police interactions are prominent in the news, galvanizing the “Defund the Police” movement, they remain rare—occurring in just 0.36% of encounters according to 2024 data from one major US city. Officers face greater risks. Across the pond, a 2025 University of Exeter study highlighted the problem: “Police officers face twice the risk of traumatic brain injuries and PTSD.”  An August 2024 Ohio State University study found 30% of law enforcement officers are injured on duty. Reporting on this study, the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation May/June edition states that, “[Head injuries] are prevalent in LEOs, which may have consequences for their performance, well-being, and career longevity. PTSD and depressive symptoms are higher in those with a HI history, suggesting LEOs need better traumatic brain injury and mental health resources.”

For police officers, brain injuries are primarily sustained from assaults, vehicle crashes, and falls, and can have horrific outcomes. Ferguson, MO Officer Travis Brown exemplifies the danger of the myriad of anti-law enforcement protests: struck during a 2024 protest, he remained unable to walk or talk nearly a year later. Additionally, in a September 5, 2025 article, ‘Something Is Wrong With My Brain’, the New York Times reported on Brent Simpson, the first police officer known to have CTE.

Congress has responded with the TBI and PTSD Law Enforcement Training Act, signed into law in August 2024. Led by Rep. Don Bacon and the late Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. of the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force, this legislation mandates CDC studies on first responder concussions and crisis intervention training, allotting $270 million over five years for training and research. Mick McHale, President, National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) said, in relation to protecting the police, “This legislation also recognizes that law enforcement and first responders are among those in our communities who suffer from these afflictions and requires the CDC to do a study on the prevalence of TBI and PTSD in the profession. We thank [senators] for championing this legislation and… [their] support of the law enforcement community.”

Thankfully, officers can and do protect themselves through ballistic helmets, baseline concussion testing, and return-to-duty protocols following head impacts. More so, additional research likely will be a benefit, assuming that it results in positive action.