The Impact of Rotating Shift Work on Police Officers

1234 Words3 Pages

The impact of rotating shift work on police officers in terms of fatigue, increased stress, and other long term medical problems cannot be overstated. In 2011, an in-depth research project, “Sleep disorders, health, and safety in police officers” (JAMA, 2011), was conducted involving a group of North American police officers in regards to the sleep disorders and the health and safety of the officers participating. The study involved 4,957 officers that worked rotating shifts over a period of approximately two years. The findings were startling and revealed that 3,930 officers (79.3%) were overweight or obese. Another 40.7% tested positive for at least one (1) sleep disorder and the majority of those that tested positive for a disorder had not previously been diagnosed with any sleep condition. 28.5% of the officers reported excessive sleepiness during the study while another 45.9% of the officers reported falling asleep at the wheel at least one (1) to two (2) times a month. Participants were also found to exhibit other adverse work related issues such as displaying uncontrolled anger at suspects and increased rates of absenteeism. The study concluded that, “sleep disorders were common and were significantly associated with increased risk of self-reported adverse health, performance, and safety outcomes” (JAMA, 2011, p. 2). Participants involved in the study reported higher levels of citizen complaints against officers that tested positive for sleep disorders. According to some research, the increase in complaints may be attributed to the fact that officers suffering from excessive sleepiness may be unable to “govern appropriate behavioral responses to negative emotional stimuli” based on their levels of fatigue (JAMA, 2011, p....

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...=D6B297ABE20111CBC9E015D46BE1E92Ed. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0070813
Knoxville Police Department Policy Manual (2013). General Orders and Standard Operating Procedures.
Harrington, J. M. (2001). Health Effects of Shift Work and Extended Hours of Work. OEM Education. Retrieved on December 3, 2013, from http://oem.bmj.com/content/58/1/68.full. doi: 10.1136.oem.58.1.68
National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund – NLEMF (2010). Research Bulletin: Law Enforcement Officer Deaths: Preliminary. Retrieved November 5, 2013, from http://www.nleomf.org/assests/pdfs/reports/2010_Law Enforcement_Fatilities_Report.pdf.

Vila, B., Kenney, D., Morrison, G. B., and Reuland, M. (2000, August 28). Evaluating the Effects of Fatigue On Police Patrol Officers: Final Report. U.S. Department of Justice. Retrieved on December 7, 2013 from
http://www.ncjrs.org/pdffiles1/nij/grants/184188.pdf

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