UK police officer providing medical assistance.

D13 Training: How UK Police Firearms Officers Are Saving Lives Beyond the Badge

Mira Elwood in Health & Wellness June 2025 • 4 min read.

"A Retrospective Look at Patient Report Forms Reveals the Unexpected Ways Medical Training Enhances Police Response."

In 2010, the United Kingdom introduced D13, a nationally standardized medical training program tailored for specialist firearms police officers. This program mandates that officers complete patient report forms (PRFs) following every instance where they provide medical care. These forms offer invaluable insights into the scope and impact of their interventions.

A recent retrospective review of patient report forms submitted by police firearms officers across five regions of England sheds light on the practical application and effectiveness of the D13 training. The review, spanning five years, uncovers the range of medical situations these officers encounter and the critical role they play in pre-hospital care.

The findings underscore that these officers respond to a wide array of incidents, ranging from traumatic injuries to medical emergencies, both minor and life-threatening. Their ability to provide immediate medical assistance is particularly crucial in environments where ambulance personnel may not be immediately accessible, positioning these officers as often the first line of medical response.

Beyond Firefights: The Diverse Medical Scenarios Faced by Specialist Officers

The review of patient report forms reveals that specialist firearms officers are frequently involved in medical interventions that extend far beyond scenarios directly related to firearms. While 30.5% of cases were linked to primary firearm deployments, a significant 69.5% arose from general police response situations. This highlights the dual role these officers play – as law enforcement professionals and immediate medical responders.

These officers are often the first on the scene, providing critical initial care that can significantly impact patient survival, particularly in cases involving critical injuries. With limited UK-based research in this area, studies such as this retrospective review are essential to understanding the realities of British policing and the value of specialized medical training.

Traumatic Injuries: Officers respond to a variety of injuries, including lacerations, stab wounds, fractures, and gunshot wounds.
Medical Emergencies: They also assist individuals experiencing medical crises such as cardiac arrest, seizures, asthma attacks, and diabetic emergencies.
Accidental Incidents: Road traffic accidents, falls, and workplace incidents also fall under their purview, requiring immediate medical intervention.

Data from the study underscores the importance of ensuring that police firearms officers are medically trained to handle a broad spectrum of emergencies. Their presence and preparedness can serve as a vital bridge until paramedics or other healthcare professionals arrive.

The Future of Police Medical Training: Enhancing Skills and Saving Lives

The D13 program and similar training initiatives represent a crucial investment in equipping police officers with the skills to save lives and improve patient outcomes in critical situations. As the demands on law enforcement continue to evolve, the integration of advanced medical training will likely become even more essential. By building on the successes of programs like D13, police forces can enhance their capacity to serve and protect their communities in the face of diverse and evolving challenges.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1177/1460408617707548, Alternate LINK

Title: Medical Training For Police Officers In Specialist Role (D13): A Retrospective Review Of Patient Report Forms From 2010–2015

Subject: Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine

Journal: Trauma

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Authors: Fl Hartley, A Howells, A Thurgood, Fj Hall, Km Porter

Published: 2017-05-11

Everything You Need To Know

What is the D13 training program?

The D13 training program, introduced in 2010, is a nationally standardized medical training for UK specialist firearms police officers. It mandates that these officers complete patient report forms (PRFs) after providing medical care. This training equips officers with the skills to handle a range of medical emergencies, making them a vital part of pre-hospital care and improving patient outcomes.

Why is the D13 training so important for UK police firearms officers?

The D13 training is significant because it equips specialist firearms officers with essential medical skills, enabling them to provide crucial pre-hospital care. This is especially important in situations where ambulance services are delayed. The training ensures that officers can effectively respond to a wide range of medical emergencies, thereby improving the chances of survival and recovery for those in need.

What is the significance of patient report forms (PRFs) in this context?

The patient report forms (PRFs) are invaluable because they provide detailed insights into the medical interventions provided by specialist firearms officers. These forms document the scope and impact of their medical interventions, and offer a way to learn what is working and where to improve. The retrospective review of these forms helps to understand the types of medical situations officers encounter and the effectiveness of the D13 training.

What kind of medical situations do D13-trained officers typically encounter?

Specialist firearms officers trained through D13 respond to a wide variety of incidents. These range from traumatic injuries like lacerations, stab wounds, fractures, and gunshot wounds, to medical emergencies such as cardiac arrest, seizures, asthma attacks, and diabetic emergencies. They also respond to incidents like road traffic accidents, falls, and workplace incidents. This demonstrates the broad range of medical situations these officers are prepared to handle.

What are the future implications of programs like D13 for law enforcement?

The integration of D13 training has significant implications, as it enhances the capacity of police forces to serve and protect communities. It allows officers to act as immediate medical responders, which can be crucial in life-threatening situations. Looking ahead, the expansion of such advanced medical training will likely become even more essential for law enforcement. By building on the successes of programs like D13, police forces can enhance their capacity to serve and protect their communities in the face of diverse and evolving challenges.