The role of tactical police medics in the prehospital environment: results from an interview study.
Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine · 2026-05-06 · Qualitative study
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The Swedish tactical police unit is a highly trained team specialized in managing complex situations and tactically demanding operations. Each tactical police group includes a designated medic who completes a 10-week basic training program in tactical medicine, followed by various forms of additional training. The medical aspects of police work are strictly regulated by medical authorities, and among other restrictions, the medics' authorizations apply only when providing care to fellow officers. The purpose of this study was to explore tactical police medics' perceptions of their work in relation to training, competencies, tactics, and the provision of practical medical care. METHOD: The study employed a qualitative design in which 13 medics from the tactical police unit were interviewed using a semi-structured interview protocol. They were asked questions about their perceived preparedness for the role, their training, and real-life situations in which they had acted as medics. All interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. The transcripts were then coded and analysed thematically following Braun and Clarke's model of thematic analysis. RESULT: The results indicated that the medics were generally satisfied with their training and education in tactical medicine. However, there was a clear discrepancy between what they had been trained to do and the tasks they actually performed in their roles. They also expressed frustration about how their mission is defined by medical authorities, particularly the restriction that prevents them from applying their medical authorizations to injured third parties. Collaboration with civilian healthcare was described as inconsistent; cooperation with prehospital physicians was generally viewed positively, whereas the relationship with ambulance personnel was perceived as more challenging. CONCLUSIONS: The tactical police medics represent a highly trained and competent group that is not being utilized to its full potential. They could be deployed more extensively in situations requiring tactical medical care and rescue operations. Achieving this would require stronger and more effective collaboration with civilian healthcare services.
Abstract © the authors or publisher, via PubMed. Reuse and removal
Tags
Clinician perspective · Implementation · Interagency collaboration · Military & tactical · Paramedics & EMTs · Prehospital physicians · Fire service & police
Related articles
- Tactical Emergency Medical Services in Copenhagen, Denmark: A mixed methods design study introducing a new concept. (Acta Anaesthesiol Scand, 2025)
- Professional prehospital clinicians' experiences of ethical challenges associated with the collaboration with organised voluntary first responders: a qualitative study. (Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med, 2023)
- Barriers and facilitators to implementing an urban co-responding police-mental health team. (Health Justice, 2018)
- The role of general practitioners in the pre hospital setting, as experienced by emergency medicine technicians: a qualitative study. (Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med, 2014)
- Ethical challenges experienced by prehospital emergency personnel: a practice-based model of analysis. (BMC Med Ethics, 2022)
- Enhancing Tactical Paramedicine Response Efficiency and Effectiveness: Lessons from the Bataclan Concert Hall Incident. (J Spec Oper Med, 2025)