Overworked cops

GlobalPost
The World

Chinese police aren't likely to die in the line of fire, but more apt to expire from overwork when they die on the job, according to a new report published in several newspapers on Tuesday.

Since guns are mostly banned and deadly violence against police somewhat rare, Chinese police officers don't face quite the same risks as their American counterparts. But apparently their positions call for demanding hours and more than 1,200 died last year of causes directly attributed to being overworked, the Global Times reported. Among those deaths, 70 percent were related to what amounted to heart attacks and strokes while at work. While the U.S. publishes "line of fire" work-related deaths as those directly attributable to workplace situations for police, the Chinese study seems to tally all those who died while working -- 11,440 cops since 1949.

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