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Anthropometry of Law Enforcement Officers

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Updated May 29, 2024

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May 2024
NIOSH Dataset RD-1081-2024-0

Introduction

The accommodation of worker anthropometric variability in the workplace and personal protective equipment (PPE) is key to safe and efficient completion of work tasks. Previously, the best data available was 46 years old, which has largely become outdated due to demographic changes. These data tables consist of 34 traditional semi-nude body dimensions without gear (e.g., chest depth, standing; foot breadth, horizontal, standing; hip circumference; stature; elbow rest height, sitting; and eye height, sitting) and 15 dimension measurements over clothing and with gear (e.g., abdominal extension depth, sitting; hip breadth, sitting; and should-grip length, sitting) of 756 male and 218 female Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs). For many LEOs, patrol vehicles are the workplace where they spend significant portions of their workday and PPE is vital gear to safeguard LEOs from the harm of assaults. Design improvements of vehicle console space, vehicle ingress/egress, and LEO body-worn equipment can result in reduced LEO fatigue, pain, or injury.

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Methods Collection

Initiated in 2012, data collection used a stratified sampling plan (gender × race/ethnicity × age combinations) to collect anthropometric data in the United States. A total of 10 cells (2 gender × 3 age groups for White and 2 gender groups for Black and Hispanic/Other each) were proposed for the study to represent anthropometric differences among U.S. LEOs. The data were collected through a stratified national survey using a data collection trailer that traveled across the U.S. A total of 974 LEOs comprise the sample. Data tables consist of thirty-four traditional semi-nude body dimensions and fifteen with gear measurements of 756 male and 218 female LEOs. Detailed descriptions of the methods are provided here: Encumbered and Traditional Anthropometry of Law Enforcement Officers for Vehicle Workspace and Protective Equipment Design.

Citations-Publications based on this dataset:

  1. Hsiao H., Kau T., and Bradtmiller B. A Cluster-Based Law Enforcement Body Armor Sizing System: Concept, Procedure, and Design Practice, Applied Ergonomics (currently undergoing journal peer review).
  2. Hsiao H., Association of Anthropometric Characteristics of Law Enforcement Officers with Perceived Ratings of Fit, Comfort, and Pain in the Use of Body Armor, Ergonomics, July 3, 2023, tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00140139.2023.2232581.
  3. Hsiao H., Whisler R., and Bradtmiller B. Needs and procedures for a national anthropometry study of law enforcement officers, Human Factors, 65(3):403-418, May 2023, https://doi.org/10.1177/00187208211019157.
  4. Hsiao H., Assessment of Challenges in Patrol Vehicles and with Equipment among Law Enforcement Officers, Applied Ergonomics, vol 108, April 2023, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003687022002691.
  5. Hsiao H., Kau T.Y., Whisler R., Zwiener J. Body Models of Law Enforcement Officers for Cruiser Cab Accommodation Simulation. Human Factors, Nov 2022, https://doi.org/10.1177/00187208221140220.
  6. Hsiao H., Whisler R., Weaver D., Hause M., Newbraugh B., Zwiener J., Ronaghi M., Bradtmiller B., Rockwell B., McDougall V., Brake T. Encumbered and Traditional Anthropometry of Law Enforcement Officers for Vehicle Workspace and Protective Equipment Design. Human Factors 2021, First Published December 31, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1177/00187208211064371.

Acknowledgements

This project was supported by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). When a publication makes use of this dataset, acknowledgement of the development of the dataset should be attributed to NIOSH Division of Safety Research.

Information on other anthropometry research projects at NIOSH is available on the Anthropometry page.

Contact

For further information contact:

NIOSH/Division of Safety Research
Protective Technology Branch
(304) 285-6120

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