Emergency Medical Responder Certification for Law Enforcement

Law enforcement agencies should require officers to become Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) certified. The public deserves professionalism and training from law enforcement. Beyond complete transparency, the public expects a professionally trained police force in every aspect of the job, particularly when it comes to medical emergencies. Standardizing the process of certification on a national level and protecting the public are the two major reasons The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) was created in 1970 (National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, 2022). The mission/purpose of NREMT is to provide a valid, uniform process to access the knowledge and skills needed for competent practice by EMS professionals, as well as maintain a registry of certification (National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, 2022). Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) is the first and most basic level of certification that officers can obtain. Officers with the EMR certification are not only an asset to their communities but are also in a better position to aid their fellow officers in critical incidents. EMR certified officers must remain up to date on current procedures and innovations by completing ongoing continuing education to maintain their certification. While there are other emergency medical trainings available, none are part of a national registry that require ongoing training to maintain certification. EMRs have the knowledge and skills to provide immediate lifesaving interventions (National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, 2022). Therefore, law enforcement agencies should require officers to become Emergency Medical Responder certified.