301 Evaluation of Fatigue and Healthy Lifestyle Practices among New York State Law Enforcement Professionals

Abstract

Abstract Introduction An important risk factor for drowsy driving is shift work, and law enforcement, an occupation known for its atypical work schedules, is a highly vulnerable occupation. A connection between fatigue and unintentional injuries among police officers has been observed (Vila, 2006), but data supporting the connection is limited. Understanding how sleep and lifestyle practices impact this population’s driving performance and job safety is critical to officer safety. Methods An online survey was disseminated to New York State law enforcement agencies by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee to assess sleep health and lifestyle practices among law enforcement personnel. Statistical analysis included data cleaning, basic and advanced statistical testing. Results 7,366 survey invitations were distributed, 1,171 were returned (15.9% response rate), and after data cleaning, 1,038 surveys were included in the analysis. Respondents reported from various state, county, and local agencies, holding titles from Police Officer to Senior Management. More than 30% of officers reported driving 5 hours or more during their shift, with 12% driving greater than 7 hours. 65% of respondents reported having experienced drowsy driving. Although, 34% reported never having received education about drowsy driving. On work days, only 40% of respondents obtain 7 hours of sleep or more. On days off, 23.6% reported sleeping 6 hours or less. Work, stress, and family responsibilities were reported as having a significant impact on sleep. Almost 87% reported at least one medical issue. Daytime sleepiness (47.4%), fatigue (42.6%), and poor memory (26.8%) were reported daily. Only 23.8% and 29.3% of respondents received education on sleep or heart health, respectively. The majority (81.7%) reported they would consider education in a variety of health-related programs. Conclusion Our findings indicate that poor sleep (60%), high stress (22.7%), and anxiety (16.8%) are a concern amongst officers. Poor cardiovascular health was also noted, based on reports of obesity (34.1%), high blood pressure (23.5%), and high cholesterol (22.4%). This research supports the need for prioritizing health education programs within law enforcement agencies. Support (if any) Funded by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration with a grant from The New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.