Additionally, police stress expert John M. Another important consideration from a risk management standpoint centers on fatigue and its impact on traffic crashes. As noted previously, conclusive research indicates that significant reductions in human performance due to fatigue contribute to traffic crashes. A British study of police officers noted that the numbers of traffic increased during lower circadian alertness-level periods midnight— a.
Since fatigue can impact many critical cognitive and physiological functions, shift duration and scheduling must be carefully orchestrated to balance the requirements of the job with the capabilities of the personnel assigned.
Approximately 15—18 percent of the full-time U. As one author noted, professionals such as pilots, locomotive engineers, ship captains, commercial truck drivers, and emergency room physicians are required to follow standardized work hour regulations and guidelines; however, law enforcement personnel—people with the power to seize life and liberty—are expected to endure extended work periods while maintaining strict professional standards.
Most evidence also suggests increased dissatisfaction among employees working rotating shifts compared to those on conventional fixed schedules. There are also biological considerations when determining optimum shift schedules. A highly debated topic in the shift work discussion concerns the frequency and manner by which shift rotation occurs. Research results vary on how often shifts should rotate and most chrono-biologists recommend that individuals be assigned to a given shift for a minimum of three weeks to allow for circadian adjustments; however, there are no changes to circadian rhythmicity during shift periods of less than seven days.
Shift rotations are generally classified as either quick or slow and each methodology has merit; therefore, it is important for organizational administrators to compare these options to the needs of the agency and the interests of both internal and external stakeholders.
Law enforcement personnel are often required not only to work long, arduous hours, but also to work for varying periods of extended time throughout a given schedule period. Most experts recommend no more than five to seven consecutive days of work before periods of leave. Unfortunately, these turnarounds exacerbate the already significant effects of fatigue and contribute to the risk of injury or error during duty hours.
Multiple studies indicate that 10 hours or less between shifts is insufficient for adequate rest and recovery; especially considering that those shorter rest cycles typically result in only four to five hours of sleep within a given period. Another important factor involves the number of leave days following periods of time worked. Most research suggests that one day off between workday blocks is inadequate for optimal rest and recuperation, especially following periods of overnight shifts or periods of transition between different shifts.
Many law enforcement agencies require employees to rotate shifts in a counterclockwise manner, which requires further deviation from normal circadian rhythms. During in a study, Nayantara Santhi Surrey Sleep Research Centre, UK and her fellow researchers noted more acute cognitive deficits during transitions from day to night shifts than from the reverse, which illustrates some of the unintended consequences associated with counterclockwise shift rotations.
When it comes to selecting optimal schedule periods, Dr. Mark Rosekind notes that a one-size-fits-all policy will not work for agencies due to the inherit differences related to individual sleep needs. Conventional eight-hour work periods are the overwhelming majority of shifts found within the workplace, especially within hour operational periods.
One study indicated increased risk levels between 13 percent and 27 percent for shifts lasting longer than eight hours; yet another study reported an exponential level of risk for both hour 90 percent higher and hour shifts percent higher during night shift periods. Another important factor for consideration centers on scheduled shift start times. Considering the natural biological periods of reduced alertness due to circadian rhythmicity, most researchers agree on the importance of avoiding shift start times that coincide with those periods.
While the nature of the work itself is hard, the impact of shift work on internal biological processes is even harder on the human body. One international cancer research organization classified the harmful effects of fatigue as carcinogenic, primarily due to the litany of problems commonly associated with shift work.
Abundant research also indicates that fatigue and sleep-wake patterns have an effect on hormones such as cortisol and melatonin, in addition to body temperature and overall metabolic rates. Sleep disorders are generally higher in shift workers than other members of the general population. It is also important to note the same study found higher amounts of sick leave use among populations assigned to night shifts.
Conclusive research indicates more than half of all police officers fail to get adequate amounts of rest, in addition to possessing 44 percent higher incidences of sleep apnea. In one study, over 90 percent of the officers reported frequently feeling fatigued. Nonetheless, employee health and well-being should be an important organizational focus, and there are strategies that both employees and organizations can implement to reduce the harmful effects associated with these operational environments.
To counteract the corrosive effects of fatigue, the fundamental factor is adequate rest. The effects of sleep loss are cumulative; therefore, it is important that personnel do not begin a work cycle with an accumulated sleep debt.
Some research suggests that napping prior to overnight shifts will improve performance to mitigate the effects of sleep loss that typically occurs during the day; therefore, departments have also experimented and had success with allowing sleep or rest periods during work hours. The Henderson, Nevada, Police Department is one such agency, and their policy allows employees working overnight shifts to take designated meal and sleep breaks at predetermined facilities that offer sleeping accommodations as long as the employees adhere to strict stipulations on accessibility.
Another potential solution centers on navigating through naturally occurring circadian rhythm cycles. While most humans are biologically programmed to sleep at night, those working night shifts can reduce the roller coaster effects by remaining on shift-sleep cycles, even during periods of leave.
For most, this approach is unrealistic and impractical, since leave periods feature time with family and normal daytime commitments; therefore, the notion of quick rotation schedules may serve employees better and have less of an adverse impact on critical biological functions. Bryan Vila suggests personnel implement the following recommendations. This should include not only abundant exercise, but also maintenance of a healthy body weight in addition to a proper diet and abstention from smoking.
Restrict caffeine intake well before sleep periods abstain at least 3—4 hours prior to sleep , and only drink one cup of coffee per hour to combat drowsiness. Try to get 7—8 hours of sleep per rest period, and avoid alcohol prior to bedtime. Have problems testifying in court regarding being prepared. Experience more accidental injuries on duty. Early retirement often due to burnout. Are at a higher risk of being seriously injured or killed because of lack of focus and not recognizing danger signs.
Fatigued officers: Have impaired judgment. Experience weight gain or unhealthy weight loss. Show an increase in and presence of severe mood swings.
Demonstrate impaired eye-hand coordination. Have increased anxiety or depression. Have increased change of substance-abuse addiction. Have increased reports of back pain and frequent headaches. Have increased chance of PTSD. Demonstrate inappropriate reactions to a situation excessive use of force. Show increased risk of serious health problems such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Steps to Reduce Police Fatigue The working conditions of law enforcement officers are not likely to change given the realities of the current economy.
Law enforcement officers can: Plan meals and make healthy eating choices, and stop eating high-calorie fast food. Plan vacation and downtime. See your doctor regularly for checkups. Share the workload and reduce the amount of overtime. Create a realistic exercise program and form healthy habits. Keep your civilian friends and get away from the job no shop talk on downtime.
Research on law enforcement fatigue has identified that shift work, mandatory overtime, critical incidents, secondary employment, and personal choices are some of the leading causes of police fatigue. Unanimously, researchers agree the most significant contributing factor of fatigue is working overnight shift work.
Most researchers say some shift workers adapt to working overnight and sleeping during the day, but most report having difficulty sleeping and are regularly fatigued. Police officers are no exception. The interruption of these cycles contributes significantly to the reasons police officers experience fatigue in both the middle of the night and in the middle of the day.
If you remember my story in part one, I fell asleep during the day in court! Researchers also say that overtime is another significant contributor to police officer fatigue. To meet these demands, police administrators need their officers to work overtime while at the same time officers enjoy the significant earning potential.
Efforts to reduce or limit work hours are rare and seldom supported by the unions or associations. In addition to the mandatory overtime, police officers make personal choices to work voluntary overtime that contribute to their fatigue. The secondary jobs could include moonlighting police services to private vendors or working non-police jobs such as carpentry or landscaping.
Officers working mandatory overtime or secondary employment, often must sacrifice sleep thus creating potentially dangerous fatigue conditions. When I introduced the Mitigating Fatigue Police program we had to overcome many hurdles from staffing, resistance to change, budgetary, and collective bargaining agreements. In the end, and nearly 6 years later, fatigue management has become business as usual. There is no way to measure the cost savings, lives spared, injuries prevented, or close calls avoided with a fatigue management policy.
Doing the right thing is not always as easy as it sounds; often right is not popular. If you follow any police media, you certainly have heard about police fatigue. There is a lot of fear in addressing fatigue that most likely is fueled by lack of information.
In the next blog, I will talk about fatigue countermeasures such as naps and exercise, policy development, hurdles, and taking action to implement a successful mitigating fatigue strategy. John retired in September from the Delaware State Police after thirty-two years at the rank of Captain serving his last four years as the Director of Human Resources.
John is currently a risk management consultant, trainer, law enforcement subject matter expert, and a certified assessor for the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies CALEA. John has also served as a volunteer firefighter for the past 15 years.
An immersive, one-of-a-kind InTime training and professional development experience. Check out our collection of thought leadership posts and articles. Solutions for state-wide corrections agencies and juvenile probation. Case Study. Track and manage your personnel training right from your schedule. Skip to content. Police Fatigue Pt. Why Should You Be Concerned?
Physiological Impact Sleep deprivation has been associated with obesity, cancer, diabetes, mental disorder, sleep disorders, depression, and cardiovascular disease. Causes of Law Enforcement Fatigue Research on law enforcement fatigue has identified that shift work, mandatory overtime, critical incidents, secondary employment, and personal choices are some of the leading causes of police fatigue.
Changing the Culture When I introduced the Mitigating Fatigue Police program we had to overcome many hurdles from staffing, resistance to change, budgetary, and collective bargaining agreements.
About the Author John Campanella.
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