Dr. Jeffrey Ho is among at least three doctors at Hennepin Healthcare who have side jobs in law enforcement. Ho sees no conflict between his roles, "both doctors and police strive to save lives, he said. "It is my life's work to develop these areas of intersection for the benefit of public protection."

This professional dynamic is unusual, said Eric Campbell, PhD, Director of Research at CBH.  The dual allegiance poses a clear conflict of interest in areas of patient privacy and consent. "Police enforce laws," Campbell said. "Doctors, on the other hand, must prioritize the best interest of their patients over other things, which sometimes may include the law. The idea that one can equate doctors and law enforcement officers as being on the same team to quote, 'protect things,' that's a fallacy."  Read article>>