Traumatic & Acquired Brain Injury #4066 (TCOLE) Now Online

By Robert Salinas at Public Service Health Today | Wed, 19 Oct 2016

A workplace head injury is one of the most serious of all. Surgeons tell us that the human skull serves as a protective shell for our brains. Inside the skull is a layer of cerebrospinal fluid that acts as a buffering agent for the brain. The soft tissue of the brain is delicate and easily damaged. A brain injury occurs when the head is impacted, which causes the brain to push through the cerebrospinal fluid and hits the skull.

Most police head traumas are caused by blows or strikes, driving accidents, and bullet wounds. As a result of such injuries a brain concussion can cause loss of consciousness or there may be no obvious symptoms until days or weeks later. Common effects of a concussion to watch for are abnormal behavior, loss of equilibrium, blurred vision, nausea and confusion. It is not uncommon for a brain injury to require the officer to be removed from service.

The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) takes injuries so seriously that in conjunction with the Texas Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Council they have developed a course of instruction for all peace officers state wide. Public Service Health spoke with the David Salmon II, Training Coordinator of OSS Academy, the largest law enforcement trainer in Texas, and learned that OSS Academy’s Traumatic & Acquired Brain Injury #4066 course has become very popular with officers. “This 2-hour online course is becoming one of our students’ favored courses. They are not only learning how to better manage encounters with members of their community but also how to avoid injury themselves.” David referred me to their academy website for more information on this course and other training taken by police officers at www.ossfirst.com.

About OSS Academy

To learn more about OSS Academy® contact our Training Coordinator at 281-288-9190 ext. 205.