Abstract Sat1303: Factors Associated With Police Officers’ Willingness to Be Dispatched for CPR and AED Use: A Cross-Sectional Study in New Taipei City

Abstract

Background: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) are a major public health concern worldwide. Early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) use have significantly improved survival outcomes. Police officers are often the first to arrive at the OHCA scene of and play a critical role in early intervention. In 2024, the New Taipei City Police Department launched a Police AED Program in collaboration with the Fire Department. Despite this initiative, concerns remain regarding officer preparedness and willingness to perform CPR and use AEDs when dispatched. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to December 2024 among 4,867 frontline police officers who received standardized CPR and AED training (15-minute lecture and 45-minute hands-on session). Before training, a 33-item validated questionnaire assessing demographics, knowledge, confidence, legal awareness, and willingness to be dispatched was completed. After excluding incomplete responses, 3,744 valid questionnaires (76.9%) were analyzed. Cronbach's alpha was 0.81. Statistical analyses included chi-square, Fisher’s exact tests, and stepwise logistic regression, with subgroup analysis by age and years of service quartiles. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Far Eastern Memorial Hospital (Approval No. 112212-E). Results: Among the 3,744 respondents, 2,785 (74.4%) were willing to be dispatched for CPR and AED use. Officers aged 28–32 showed higher willingness than those ≤27 (OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.01–1.63, p = 0.038), while those with 4–7 years of service were less willing than those with ≤4 years (OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.54–0.84, p < 0.001). No significant differences were found in older groups. Barriers included legal concerns and low confidence, with younger officers citing workload and preference to help known individuals. Key facilitators were training, legal protection, and incentives, with patterns varying by age and experience. Conclusion: Our study revealed that most frontline officers were willing to be dispatched to perform CPR and to use AEDs; however, barriers such as legal concerns and low self-confidence persist. Tailored interventions such as legal protection, skill-focused training, and age-appropriate incentives are recommended to enhance police participation in prehospital resuscitation efforts.