Exploring Law Enforcement Officers’ Experiences with Athletic Trainers and Work-Related Injury

Law enforcement is an emerging clinical setting for athletic trainers (ATs), yet little is known regarding law enforcement officers (LEOs) perceptions of the profession. This qualitative study following a general inductive approach explored LEOs' experiences with musculoskeletal injury and their interactions with ATs. Seven officers (<i>N</i> = 7) participated in one-on-one semi-structured interviews. Three themes emerged: (1) roles and responsibilities of ATs, (2) education and training, and (3) impact of injury on LEOs. While participants viewed ATs positively, they demonstrated limited understanding of the profession's scope and expertise. Participants commonly described managing musculoskeletal injuries on their own due to cultural expectations to "push through" pain, limited organizational support, and administrative barriers to care. These patterns reflect broader occupational health and safety concerns within law enforcement and highlight opportunities for ATs to enhance injury prevention and early intervention by promoting a more supportive safety climate and improving access to musculoskeletal care.