Police vehicles equipped with automated external defibrillators in North America

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a leading cause of death in Canada and the United States, with 85% of cases caused by ventricular fibrillation (VF). Prompt defibrillation is critical for survival, as the likelihood of survival decreases by 7-10% each minute without intervention. While traditional efforts have focused on emergency medical services (EMS) and public access defibrillator (PAD) programs, equipping police vehicles with automated external defibrillators (AEDs) has gained traction.

In the U.S., studies in Allegheny County, Rochester (MN), and Miami demonstrated that police officers equipped with AEDs significantly reduced response times and improved survival rates. For example, Allegheny County saw a 51% reduction in time to defibrillation, while Rochester achieved a 58% SCA survival rate.

In Canada, the adoption of police vehicle AEDs is inconsistent. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) lacks federal regulations requiring AEDs, though some specialized units, such as the Prime Minister Protective Detail and "E" Division in British Columbia, have embraced them. BC Provincial Policing Standards now mandate AEDs for certain rural and urban police units following the Braidwood Inquiry into Taser safety.

Provincial police departments like the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Sûreté du Québec do not equip their cruisers with AEDs for SCA response, but many municipal departments do. An RCMP officer in "E" Division successfully used an AED to revive a victim on Bowen Island, highlighting their lifesaving potential.

These initiatives reflect growing recognition of police AEDs as a critical component in improving cardiac arrest outcomes.