NCJ Number
203074
Journal
The Law Enforcement Trainer Volume: 17 Issue: 5 Dated: September/October 2002 Pages: 44-47
Date Published
September 2002
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article confronts the problem of police officer fatigue.
Abstract
Today’s police officers are being asked to do more on the job and learn more in training sessions, as well as in college courses. However, in order to learn it is imperative to get the necessary sleep. The article describes research which indicates that people are better able to maintain and consolidate information they have learned if their training or class experience is followed by at least 7 hours of sleep. This extends to educational settings as well as specific police officer training. Fatigue affects officers’ job performance, personal relationships, personal safety, and the public’s safety. Moreover, research with astronauts, pilots, and military personnel suggest fatigue impairs decisionmaking, increases irritability, and causes greater impulsiveness and aggression. The article offers accounts of police officers who have been involved in accidents because of fatigue and overwork. As such, when police officers consider acquiring additional education or training, it is important to be able to balance work, family, and education without sacrificing good quality sleep.