Shifts, sleep and the police: airwave airtime for an important issue

Abstract

As an emergency service in the UK, the police require a 24-h presence to assist the most vulnerable in society. There is a need to consider the impact of providing a round-the-clock service on police officers and staff. Discussion on sleep and managing well-being whilst working shifts is urgently needed in order to protect the protectors, with both authors currently researching this critical area. This commentary, however, will focus on why such attention and discussions are required. Shift workers are exposed to acute and chronic sleep deprivation beyond those who work regular office hours [1]. Police staff are not immune. The 2019 National Police Wellbeing Survey [2] emphasized high, self-reported levels of sleep disturbance and reduced sleep duration, when compared to the general population [3]. Although the report [2] describes the difference in sleep, consideration should be given to the risks to...