Perceived hazards among motorcyclists of the Malta Police Force

Abstract

Police motorcycle riders are at risk of being involved in road traffic accidents, a risk which is increased when chasing fleeing vehicles or in response to emergency calls The International Labour Organization's International Hazard Datasheets on Occupation for the 'Police I Law Enforcement Officer' (1999)]. In addition they are exposed to pollution (European Agency for Safety and Health at Work-EU OSHA, 2010), verbal abuse, violence and when not engaged on specific traffic law enforcement, experience physical stress brought about by a high volume of judicial documents of criminal court notifications that require careful and diplomatic attention. Also most documents require being dispatched across the islands. These points highlight the various safety and health issues and hazards present in the local law enforcement profession which though traditionally set upon the British model nowadays shares ideas with the wider European (TISPOL and EUROPOL) and international, such as INTERPOL networks. This research was conducted, following administrative permission (Appendix VII), within the Malta Police Force's to investigate the perception of Police Officers assigned motorcycling and paperwork duties. Both personal interviews and mail questionnaires were undertaken to allow for a review of the factors that characterize their occupational riding setting. The questionnaire was designed after the conduction of interviews with the Force's Medical Officer, Inspector in charge and the two motorcycle mechanics. Analysis and discussion of data collected provides a comparison of perception on riding and administrative duties. The sample results suggest that 72.7% of Police motorcyclists are above 36 years of age, of these 35.7% are between 45-50 years, and that they find it safer when riding as a team rather than as lone workers. Various stress factors, office ergonomics, insufficient rest, improved personal protective and other equipment, pre-riding details, environmental pollution and various aspects of training were all important issues that need to be duly considered.