Police Fatigue Effects of Fatigue

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1 # 633 Police Fatigue While police officers are trained to properly handle any number of unique and stressful situations, they are often unaware of one of their major enemies - fatigue. This Training Key provides information surrounding police fatigue, including possible sources of fatigue and suggestions on how to obtain quality sleep through proper sleep hygiene. The difficulties and dangers facing today's police officer are, for the most part, well-known both to their superiors and to the public. Physical danger, disruption of family life, the constant threat of civil liability, and other perils have made modern police work challenging in the extreme. However, recent studies indicate that there is an additional and less wellknown enemy stalking today's police officer that may have a serious impact upon an individual officer's health, safety, and job performance; reduce the overall effectiveness of the officer's department; and, ultimately, pose a hazard to the public. This unseen and underrated enemy of the police officer is fatigue. It is imperative that all law enforcement personnel be able to recognize fatigue, understand its potentially serious consequences, and know how to effectively combat its effects. The inherent stresses of modern police work clearly contribute to officer fatigue. These effects are more apparent in some officers than in others, but it is likely that most police officers feel the effects of the built-in stresses associated with the police profession. Physical danger and the other burdens that inevitably go with policing in modern society are a significant component of the fatigue problem; however, there are other notable contributing factors. Effects of Fatigue The average adult requires eight hours of sleep each night, with some individuals being able to function on as few as six hours and others needing as many as ten. However, studies have shown that most Americans get one to one and a half fewer hours of sleep than needed every night. 1 Law enforcement officers, who must cope with a high level of work-related stress, as well as a demanding schedule including shift rotation, are often unable to obtain even this lesser number of quality sleep hours. According to a study published in 2000, the average police officer slept 6.6 hours, while four percent of the officers polled received less than five hours of sleep per 24 hour period. 2 For any hours of sleep that are missed, a sleep debt accumulates, which can only be corrected by making up these lost hours. Society in general has adapted to this notion, with the common practice of sleeping in on the weekends serving to erase any sleep deficit accumulated during the work week. The resulting sleepiness can lead to numerous negative effects. These include slower reaction times, reduction in the ability to pay attention, difficulty in processing and absorbing information, and loss of short-term memory accuracy. In addition, a phenomenon referred to as microsleep can occur. When an individual does not get enough sleep, the brain can uncontrollably and spontaneously shift from a waking to a sleeping mode. During these periods, the person disengages from the external environment and cannot process external stimuli. These microsleeps can be short (lasting only seconds) or much longer (spanning several minutes). The greater the lack of sleep, the more frequently these microsleep episodes may occur. 3 It is also important to note that the ability to operate a motor vehicle is greatly affected by lack of sleep and fatigue. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are approximately 56,000 automobile crashes each year in which driver drowsiness and fatigue are cited by police as the cause. These crashes resulted in an average of 40,000 nonfatal injuries and 1,550 fatalities annually and occurred primarily after midnight when the driver was the only occupant of the vehicle. 4 Officers who are often in these conditions should exercise extreme caution to prevent possibly catastrophic accidents. Drivers should be aware that tricks such as drinking caffeine, opening the window, or turning up Training Key published and copyrighted 2009, by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Inc., 515 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any system or transmitted in any form or by any means electrical, mechanical, photocopying, recording or other means without prior written permission of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Inc.

2 the radio only provide temporary relief from drowsiness and should not be relied upon for safety. The best solution is to pull over and take a brief 20 to 30 minute nap before continuing driving. In an effort to highlight the effects of sleep deprivation, scientists from the University of New South Wales in Australia conducted a study to measure the level of alcohol intoxication equivalent to extended periods of being awake. The results showed that after 17 hours of continuous wakefulness, an individual experiences a decrease in performance equal to a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05 percent. This level increased to 0.10 percent after being awake for 24 hours. 5 The consequences of such impairment are alarming, especially when considered in the context of law enforcement activities that require optimal levels of performance. Circadian Rhythm The Body s Natural Clock Many of the systems of the human body function on a 24- hour biological clock referred to as the circadian rhythm. This rhythm is controlled by genetic factors and can be found even within individual cells. Functions such as body temperature, hormone secretion, memory, manual dexterity, and blood pressure are largely controlled by circadian rhythms. While light may serve to synchronize the rhythm, circadian rhythm continues without external stimuli such as light and darkness. The body is programmed to sleep during certain times when the body temperature is at its lowest. The most noticeable periods of sleepiness, as controlled by the rhythm, occur between three and five o clock in the morning and afternoon. When an individual is unable to sleep during the times dictated by the circadian rhythm, and consequently is only available to sleep during times of natural wakefulness, sleep deprivation and its negative consequences occur. The circadian rhythm can be shifted or realigned to some degree. However, the more it is shifted, the greater the negative impact and the longer it takes to readjust. Some individuals are able to tolerate these changes better than others, although individuals over the age of 45 experience increased difficulty in adjusting. Rotating shift work places a severe strain on the body by forcing continuous readjustment of the circadian rhythm. The length of time between shift changes also plays an important role on an officer s health, although there is controversy over the optimum amount of time that should be required between shift changes. Causes of Police Fatigue Overwork. A major contributing factor to an officer's fatigue is long work hours. While accurate national figures are lacking, it is apparent from anecdotal evidence and the results of some studies that the average police officer works far more than the 40-hour work week that is considered "standard" in other jobs. These abnormally long hours are caused by the following. Overtime. The available data on police work hours suggest that the average American police officer works a substantial number of overtime hours every week. Indeed, it appears that 100 hours of overtime per officer each month is not uncommon in some departments, 6 and it has been reported that some officers may put in as much as 3,000 overtime hours in a given year. 7 Although many officers volunteer to work overtime in order to supplement their base pay, in many instances these long work hours are a matter of necessity if the department is to fulfill its mission. Understaffing often forces departments to ask its personnel to work extra hours weekly, and the increased requirement for security following the September 11, 2001, attacks has often strained the resources of even full-staffed agencies. For example, a study conducted for the Albuquerque, New Mexico, police department examined the effects of voluntary and mandatory overtime upon its officers. The study found that overtime was the primary cause of fatigue among the officers surveyed. 8 Another survey showed that 46 percent of the officers polled considered overtime somewhat or very harmful to their social and recreational activities, while approximately 50 percent cited overtime as being responsible for feeling tired at the beginning of their shift. 9 Moonlighting. Many officers, due to preference or economic necessity, work second or even third jobs, thus piling private work hours on top of their departmental workloads. 10 While departmental policy should limit the number of overtime hours worked and the temporal proximity of that work to duty hours, many departments are either unable or unwilling to interfere with an officer s often much needed secondary employment. Court time. Additional fatigue is created because officers are frequently required to be in court during what would otherwise be their off-duty hours. Such required court time lengthens the work week and disrupts the sleep schedules of officers who are on shift work. Training time. In-service training, firearms qualification, and other related activities may also add hours to an already full work week. Commute time. Although many officers are required by departmental regulation to live in or within a certain radius of the jurisdictions in which they are employed, others may live significant distances from their duty stations and are thus subjected to long and time-consuming commutes. This is particularly true in large urban areas where traffic is slow at peak hours. It is also the case in some state police agencies that rotate officers between barrack assignments, some of which may be far from their home base. Sleep Deprivation. A leading cause of officer fatigue is based on the simple fact that most officers simply do not get enough rest. Several studies indicate that the above-mentioned factors contribute to the officer fatigue problem, with lack of adequate rest and its resultant cumulative effects being the major culprits. Sleep deprivation may negatively affect officers job performance and degrade their job satisfaction. Further, the quality of a police officer's sleep is often poor. Studies recognize five stages of sleep, with each stage being progressively deeper. When the latter, deeper stages of sleep are interrupted, the sleep period is less effective in refreshing the body and a chronic lack of this deeper sleep can have the following serious adverse effects: 11 Poor health. High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, obesity, diabetes, heartburn 12 and other gastrointestinal disorders all appear to be related to chronic sleep depri- 2

3 vation. 13 Preexisting health problems also may be aggravated by lack of adequate rest. 14 Decreased job performance. Any worker subject to sleep deprivation is likely to manifest a decreased level of alertness, energy, cognitive skills, judgment, and interpersonal skills. A decreased ability to solve problems and a slower reaction and performance time in matters involving psychomotor skills have also been reported. 15 Accidents. For persons engaged in occupations involving some degree of physical risk, the result may be increased incidences of accidents and resultant injuries. Other Factors. In addition to being overworked and experiencing sleep deprivation, other factors may contribute to officer fatigue. These include ill health, advancing age, poor physical conditioning, and the following: Family obligations. Many officers experience additional stress resulting from their work schedules conflicting with family responsibilities. For officers who work rotating shifts, this is especially problematic, as it is impossible to establish a concrete routine. Often, these officers sacrifice sleep hours in order to meet family obligations. Feeling disconnected from society. The majority of the population lives on a standard schedule where work and other activities are performed during the daylight hours and sleep is obtained at night. Many businesses are only open during normal business hours and do not cater to those with conflicting schedules. Commitments to activities with set meeting times, such as a bowling team or civic club, are often impossible. For individuals with nonstandard working hours, it can become difficult to completely integrate with society without forfeiting sleep and increasing stress. Sleep pathologies. According to one statistic, approximately 40 percent of police officers suffer from clinical sleep pathologies. 16 Disorders such as insomnia, restless leg syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea are underreported and thought to be more common among law enforcement officers than the general public. Overall, these conditions contribute to a poor quality of life and may lead to feelings of anxiety and hopelessness, which only worsen the underlying problem. 17 However, with proper diagnosis and treatment, these disorders can be effectively managed. Insomnia is characterized by difficulty getting to and staying asleep. It is estimated that 5 to 10 percent of the general population suffers from chronic insomnia. The risk of developing the disorder is greater for females and increases with age. Individuals who suffer from insomnia are more likely to use alcohol as a sleeping aid and have a significant chance of developing nicotine and drug dependence issues. Individuals with restless legs syndrome experience unpleasant sensations, usually in the legs, resulting in a strong urge to move the particular body part. The symptoms are exacerbated by inactivity, especially at night, and are relieved by movement. Restless legs syndrome can greatly impact a person s daytime functioning, as sitting still for any length of time can be extremely difficult. In severe cases, activities such as driving for long periods or going to the movies must be abandoned. Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by the collapse of the airway during sleep, leading to a decrease in oxygen intake. This lack of oxygen causes the individual to awaken several times during the night, although he or she might not be aware. The absence of quality sleep can be severely debilitating to the individual and may result in an increased risk of hypertension, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases. The treatment for sleep apnea is the use of a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) device while sleeping. This device prevents the airways from closing, allowing the wearer to obtain uninterrupted, restorative sleep. 18 Shift Work and Fatigue Shift work has been documented since ancient Rome when deliveries were made at night to relieve traffic congestion. 19 Currently, it is estimated that one in five Americans are shift workers. As noted briefly earlier, studies have shown that the midnight to 8 a.m. shift is responsible for the most noticeable ill effects due to the greater risk of sleep disruption caused by interruption of natural circadian rhythm. The lack of quality sleep that occurs when an individual works nonstandard hours can lead to numerous negative health consequences, sometimes referred to as shift wake sleep disorder (SWSD) or shift maladaptation syndrome. It is believed that fatigue stemming from shift work played a role in major disasters such as the Challenger explosion, the Exxon Valdez oil spill, Three Mile Island, and Chernobyl. 20 For shift workers, the most troublesome sleep-related problems are difficulty initiating sleep, shortened sleep, impaired sleep quality between shifts, and extreme sleepiness during working hours, possibly resulting in microsleeps. Shift work is also associated with increased use of sick leave and an increased risk of peptic ulcer and coronary heart disease. Hormonal changes caused by the disruption of the circadian rhythm can also prove detrimental to female workers. These changes can result in menstrual irregularities, infertility, and pregnancy complications. 21 Overall, nighttime workers are more tense and tired, both physically and mentally, as compared to daytime workers. Individuals suffering from SWSD, which affects approximately 10 percent of night shift workers, experience chronic excessive sleepiness during shifts and periods of insomnia during days off. In addition, there is an increased risk of depression and neuroticism that may lead to absenteeism and employee turnover. Some individuals are more susceptible to SWSD than others. Factors such as family, social environment, work load, shift type, health-related behaviors, and personality traits may all play a role in an employee s tolerance of shift work. 22 Role of Police Fatigue on the Public It is not only the police officers themselves and their families who suffer the negative consequences of fatigue. The public is affected as well. As noted above, due to the adverse effects of fatigue on alertness and motor responses, the incidence of traffic accidents involving officers suffering from fatigue most notably, those working night shifts is higher than for officers working "normal" schedules and who are getting adequate rest. In addition, the irritability and impairment of judgment and attitude associated with fatigued officers may lead to inappropriate responses, such as unnecessarily con- 3

4 frontational behavior and the inappropriate use of force toward persons they encounter during their workday. In short, the net result of widespread officer fatigue within a department is often ineffective policing, which may expose the public to a lower degree of police protection. Financial Cost of Police Fatigue Added to all of the other negative consequences of police fatigue are the adverse financial effects that it may have on the department and the jurisdiction. For example, fatigue is known to be a factor in many officer-involved motor vehicle accidents. Such crashes can be very costly for the department, and involve not only damage to, and repair or replacement of, police vehicles, but may also cause lost time due to injuries or the cost of training replacements. In addition, liability claims by individuals who have suffered property damage or personal injury in officer fatigue related accidents can result in staggering judgments, which smaller jurisdictions may be illequipped to bear. Solutions: Good Sleep Hygiene If avoiding nonstandard working hours or shift work is not possible, there are several ways to lessen the ill effects of fatigue. Following are some suggestions designed to improve both the quantity and quality of sleep that does not correspond to the body s natural circadian rhythm. Remember, sleep (and sleep loss) is cumulative the overall goal is to get as much uninterrupted sleep as possible. Make your bedroom as dark as possible. This may include purchasing special blackout curtains, lined drapes, or a sleep mask in order to simulate nighttime. Do not use a night light, block any light coming from underneath the door, and dim your alarm clock. Block noises. Attempting to sleep during the day when the majority of society is awake and working can prove problematic when it comes to noise. Possible sources of disruptive noises can be as simple as the dog barking next door or construction occurring down the street. Turn off the telephone, use ear plugs or utilize white noise whether it is from a radio set to static or a white noise machine. Constant, soothing, repetitive sounds can help to lull you to sleep. Make your bedroom cool. Research has suggested that the best temperature for sleeping is between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Maintain a sleep schedule. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, whether or not you are working. After returning home from work, take an hour or two to rest and relax before retiring to bed. Try to stay out of the daylight during this time, as exposure will reinforce the circadian rhythm and make sleep more difficult. Many night shift workers worsen their symptoms by sleeping during the day when they are working, but adopting a normal night sleep schedule on days off. Establish an exercise routine. Improving overall health by exercising 20 to 30 minutes, three times a week can lead to a decrease in fatigue-related symptoms. However, allow at least three hours between exercising and going to bed. Do not go to bed hungry. Eat a light snack if necessary, but do not eat a heavy meal right before bedtime. Avoid caffeine and nicotine before bedtime. The stimulating effects of these substances can last several hours and should be avoided in the hours prior to sleep. Avoid alcohol before going to sleep. While drinking alcohol may initially promote relaxation and sleep, it also results in lighter, more easily interrupted sleep. In addition, it hinders the REM (rapid eye movement) portion of the sleep cycle, worsens breathing disorders, and reduces oxygen levels, all of which significantly decrease the quality of sleep. Establish a relaxing pre-sleep routine. This routine can include listening to soothing music or reading until sleepy. The purpose is to break the connection between the stresses of the working day and sleep. 23 Napping. If necessary, naps can be used to supplement normal sleep. It is suggested that naps should be no longer than 45 minutes if it will be necessary to awaken fully alert. A nap that lasts longer than this can result in sleep inertia, or grogginess resulting from falling into deep sleep. If an extended period of time is available, a nap lasting two or more hours will allow for the completion of the sleep cycle. Summary Police fatigue is increasingly being recognized as a serious problem for modern law enforcement. Fortunately, many departments are attempting to reduce the impact of fatigue and sleep deprivation by altering shift times, setting limits on the number of hours that an officer may work, monitoring or managing extra-duty assignments, and soliciting the cooperation of the courts in devising court schedules that place less of a burden on night shift officers. These efforts can be coupled with the awareness of fatigue lessening techniques by individual officers, resulting in a healthier, happier, and more effective law enforcement agency. Endnotes 1 Mark R. Rosekind et al., Managing Fatigue in Operational Settings 1: Physiological Considerations and Countermeasures, Behavioral Medicine 21 (Winter 1996): Bryan J. Vila et al., Evaluating the Effects of Fatigue on Police Patrol Officers Final Report (Police Executive Research Forum, February 20, 2000), (accessed September 28, 2009). 3 Rosekind, Managing Fatigue in Operational Settings 1. 4 Drowsy Driving and Automobile Crashes, (National Center for Sleep Disorder Research/National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, April 1998), (accessed September 28, 2009). 5 A.M. Williamson, Moderate Sleep Deprivation Produces Impairments in Cognitive and Motor Performance Equivalent to Legally Prescribed Levels of Alcohol Intoxication, Occupational and Environmental Medicine 57 (2000): Bryan J. Vila, Tired Cops The Importance of Managing Police Fatigue (Washington, DC.: Police Executive Research Forum, 2000). 7 Ron Marsico, 200 P.A. Officers At Least Doubled Pay With Overtime Money for Extra Shifts Sets Agency Record, The Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ), May 14, Glory Cochrane, The Effects of Sleep Deprivation, FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin 70, no. 7 (July 2001): Vila et al., Evaluating the Effects of Fatigue on Police Patrol Officers. 10 Vila, Tired Cops, 44. One study indicates that in some departments, as many as 95 percent of officers work at second jobs. 11 Danielle Argenti, Mastering Your Circadian Rhythm, American Fitness 29, no. 1 (January February 2002): Farrah Hassen, Sleep Deprivation: Effects on Safety, Health and the Quality of Life, (accessed September 28, 2009). 13 Kristin Cobb, Missed ZZZ s, More Disease? Science News 162, no. 10 (September 2002): This article reports that a Japanese study indicates that men who slept five hours or less a night had twice as many heart attacks as men who slept eight hours. 14 It has been noted by some observers that sleep deprivation produced many of the same symptoms, such as, memory problems, as the human aging process. This, along with the other problems (such as heart disease) associated with chronic sleep deprivation, gives some credence to the view that sleep deprivation literally can take years off of an individual s life. 4

5 15 Nancy J. Girard, Lack of Sleep Another Safety Risk Factor, AORN Journal 78, no. 4 (October 2003): Vila et al., Evaluating the Effects of Fatigue on Police Patrol Officers. 17 Andras Szentkiralyi, Csilla Madarasz, and Marta Novak, Sleep Disorders: Impact on Daytime Functioning and Quality of Life. Expert Review of Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research 9, no. 1: Ibid. 19 U.S. Congress, Office of Technology Assessment, Biological Rhythms: Implications for the Worker, OTA-BA-463 (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, September 1991): 87, (accessed September 28, 2009). 20 Szentkiralyi, Madarasz, and Novak Sleep Disorders. 21 Ibid. 22 Ibid. 23 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration/U.S. Department of Transportation, Sick and Tired of Waking Up Sick and Tired? information brochure, PLE/injury/drowsy_driving1/human/drows_driving/wbroch/wbrochure.pdf (accessed September 28, 2009). 5

6 questions The following questions are based on material in this Training Key. Select the one best answer for each question. 1. Fatigue can result in which of the following negative consequences? (a) Slower reaction times and difficulty concentrating. (b) Phenomena called microsleeps, where the brain automatically and uncontrollably switches to sleep. (c) High blood pressure, peptic ulcers, and diabetes. (d) All of the above. 2. Which of the following is not a suggested component of good sleep hygiene? (a) Avoid stimulants such as nicotine and caffeine in the hours before bedtime. (b) Make your bedroom as dark as possible, including the use of dark, heavy curtains if sleeping during daylight hours. (c) Keep the bedroom warm while sleeping - adjust thermostat to between 77 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. (d) Establish a regular exercise routine involving 20 to 30 minutes of activity at least three times a week. 3. Which of the following disorders is characterized by a collapse of the airway during sleep, causing the individual to wake up numerous times during the night? (a) Insomnia (b) Obstructive sleep apnea (c) Shift wake sleep disorder (SWSD) (d) Restless legs syndrome answers 1. (d) All of the above. Fatigue can result in numerous and varied physical, emotional, and psychological consequences. 2. (c) The bedroom should be kept cool, between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, to facilitate sleep. 3. (b) Obstructive sleep apnea can be treated using continuous positive airway pressure devices designed to keep the airways open during sleep. have you read.? Myths and Facts about Sleep, an article provided by the National Sleep Foundation and available at their website, This document debunks many of the myths surrounding sleep while providing useful information about commonly encountered sleep questions. This website is also an excellent source for additional information on many of the topics addressed in this Training Key.