“Police” help them live more normal lives!

1. Devising overtime limits, and ways to integrate the officers' contract time into the total hours-worked scenario. This will help departments control 80 hour-plus workweek of some officers.

2. Getting better cooperation from the court system to device better-suited court schedules for night shift officers.

3. Offering training for officers to help them better cope with shiftwork. This training should include information on circadian systems, sleep architecture, eating, and health related subjects, including mental and physical well-being.

4. Conducting training and education (firearms ranges, safety, driving, physical exams, etc.) on night shift for night shift officers.

5. Allowing department repair shops to remain open later for access by night shift officers.

6. Increasing contact with night shift officers by supervisors.

7. Videotaping mandatory meetings to allow night shift officers to view them on their regular shifts.

Other suggestions include well-lit workplaces and vending machines that contain healthy snacks.

Many of these suggestions are more practical than others, but is high time that police departments as well as other critical services address the problem of overworked and under-alert employees at the wheel, at the switch, or behind the scalpel.

Soapbox time is up, so until next month, stay safe and sane out there, fellows and ladies of the night.

Source:

Cochrane, Glory, "The Effects of Sleep Deprivation," FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, Washington DC, July 2001.

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