According to a Federal Bureau of Investigation survey, at least 7 police officers contracted AIDS and 31 police officers contracted hepatitis B between 1981 and 1991. Statistics since 1991 are not yet available. Of the police officers who contracted AIDS, three absorbed infected blood through cuts, wounds, or scrapes on the skin and two acquired AIDS from needle stick injuries. One police officer contracted AIDS from a blood transfusion, while the remaining police officer developed AIDS from undescribed circumstances. Of the police officers who contracted hepatitis B, eight absorbed infected blood through cuts, wounds, or scrapes on the skin. Six cases involved needle stick injuries, 6 cases resulted from being bitten by suspects, and 11 cases involved undescribed circumstances. Recognizing symptoms of AIDS and hepatitis B may be absent in suspects, police officers should always take precautions and anticipate contact with blood and body fluids by thinking ahead. They should wash their hands thoroughly if they come in contact with blood and body fluids, wear latex rubber gloves, dispose of needles properly, and wear protective barriers such as masks and eyewear. If a police officer has possibly been exposed to AIDS or hepatitis B, he or she should follow police department procedures and specifically attempt to clean the area of exposure to minimize the chance of infection. The nature of AIDS and hepatitis B infection, modes of transmission, and risk factors are discussed. 4 photographs