Preview

Police Shift Work Essay

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
557 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Police Shift Work Essay
The work schedule of the police force inflicts a high level stressful condition that may impact upon their bodily, mental and mutual relationships. For a long span of time the police workers are coached in policing, but not about the issues relating to handling their mental and physical health. Most of the times they have to work for extended durations and irregular shift hours (Vila, 2006). A large body of work has shown that shift work of police is linked with increased spread of sleep disorders, malefic health outcomes and self reported slumberous driving (Vila and Samuels 2011).
Short and long duration of sleep have been found associated with increased levels of leptin and may have implications for conditions related to obesity (Charles
…show more content…
An improved shift system will help in reduction of acquired sleep debts and also reduce disturbances of the circadian regulation (Knauth and Hornberger, 2003). Subsequently, there may be a reduction in occurrence of many diseases and also help in coping up with shift work.

Further, the shift workers should have a positive attitude towards the shift system. Previous studies have shown a relation between negative attitude to work hours and sleep-wake problems, failing health, stress and poor recovery (Axelsson et al., 2003, 2004; Kundi et al., 1981).

One study has observed that a satisfying schedule has a strong correlation with increased possibility of deciding own working hours (Eriksen and Kecklund, 2007). It has been suggested that if shift workers are involved in the planning of shift system, they will have a better attitude towards working hours alongwith improved control of work time and in this way decrease the impact of negative influence on various health functions. Recently, such a trend in involvement of workers in designing specific need based schedules has been observed (Harma,

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Hrm/531 Week 3 Quiz

    • 1774 Words
    • 8 Pages

    4. A study shows that employees that begin their work day at 9:00 a.m. vary their times…

    • 1774 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    In the fields of emergency services, sleep patterns while on shift are often irregular. The lack of sleep, or regular sleep, can be a factor in other health problems, and can greatly decrease performance on the job. Interrupted sleep, or sleep fragmentation, is a common occurrence due to the nature of shift work, and the nature of emergency response requests. Shifts can vary in nature, and the two that will be focused on in this project is the “48/96” schedule (48 hours on shift, and 96 hours off shift), and the “Berkley” schedule (24 hours on, 24 hours off, 24 hours on, 24 hours off, 24 hours on, 4 days off). Some departments allow “safety naps” or prophylactic napping on shift during the day to help better rest personnel in preparation for calls throughout the night. This project will determine the effects of sleep fragmentation, and the effects of prophylactic sleeping periods, on personnel from the West Peculiar Fire Protection District (WPFPD) and Miami County Emergency Medical Services (MCEMS).…

    • 5701 Words
    • 23 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Police Essay

    • 319 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Look again at section 30 of the ACC Act. Can Craig refuse to give evidence? Are there any limitations on the use of his evidence?…

    • 319 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Unit 3 P1

    • 1428 Words
    • 6 Pages

    If an employee is working nights, it is important that they get the correct amount of sleep after a shift in order for their body to function properly. Sleep depravation is a major health hazard and also can cause employees to become a health and safety risk. An example of this in the aviation industry is security officers not searching a passenger properly because they are too tired or sleep deprived to focus and perform their job properly this person may have explosives in their shoes with the intent to blow up an aircraft. If the security officer was not fatigued, then this would normally be detected instantly however because they are fatigued they may become very relaxed and lazy with security checks on passengers meaning that suspicious or dangerous items may make it through to airside. This a major health and safety risk which is why it is important that supervisor understand the effects of fatigue and how it affects a person’s alertness and work ethic. It is also important that supervisor and managers understand the effects of sleep deprivation and the serious consequences and impact it can have on the aviation industry. Supervisors must monitor employees for fatigue and know their limits especially if…

    • 1428 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    SOC 100 Research Paper

    • 1461 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The research question that I will be investigating is: how do the demands of the college workload affect the sleeping habits of college students? I chose this topic because I feel like it has a direct correlation to my personal experiences, as well as those of my fellow classmates. I often feel as if the demands from my college workload directly affect my ability to get an appropriate amount of sleep, and so I want to research the topic to see if other students share the same experience. I believe that when I have more work that needs to be completed, I have less of an opportunity to sleep during the night. This sentiment has been echoed by many of my classmates and friends, therefore I think that this is a common situation amongst college students. In this paper, I am going to refer to a similar study, as well as propose the most appropriate method to conduct this study, which is through survey. In addition, I will be comparing and contrasting the benefits and the drawbacks of this methodology, along with this study’s relevance to previously existing studies on this topic.…

    • 1461 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Performance Triad

    • 868 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The Performance Triad The Beginning of the life changing campaign • In Afghanistan 2011 Lt. Gen. Patricia D. Horoho, the Army surgeon general came up with the idea known as The Performance Triad • It was brought to America held at a workshop Sept. 18--21 at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. Cont. •…

    • 868 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Correctional officers can develop medical issues that can cause them time off work called stressors. These stressors can come from lack of sleep which can disrupt much of an officers day. Some of the symptoms are what is called Shift lag. “Shift lag is impaired performance. Lack of sleep can cause gastrointestinal issues, depression and apathy, sleepiness or falling asleep at work, and sleep interference during the daytime. Medical issues that can come from the stressors of lack of sleep can cause much disruption in an officers work day. Some of the symptoms are: shift lag, impaired performance, gastrointestinal dysfunction, depression and apathy, sleepiness/sleeping at work, and sleep disruption during the daytime sleep. Women face the issue of cardiovascular and obstetric problems more so then men. Women face having low birth rate babies, preterm babies, and spontaneous abortions. Where men may have issues with cardiovascular issues and sleep disorders.” (Dial & Johnson, 2008)…

    • 1946 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Restorative Nap Break

    • 707 Words
    • 3 Pages

    To grant a restorative nap or sleep to a night nurse is the way to combat sleepiness and fatigue at work. No amount of technology or incentives can fight the problem of fatigue at work but sleep. As long as the practice of nap break is ignored, the danger to patient’s safety, nurses’ health, and decreased nurses’ job satisfaction will continue to be the major issues in the community and health organization. To understand the challenge in implementing the practice, one can summarize the advantages and disadvantages of legalizing the restorative nap break:…

    • 707 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Nurse Shiftwork Effects

    • 1593 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Every new nurse graduate looks forward to the day where they graduate and only have to work three 12 hour shifts a week. Most graduates are unaware of shiftwork and the detrimental effects it can have on their health. Shiftwork means working any shifts that fall outside of the norm nine to five schedule. In terms of the healthcare sector, it has two main categories of shift durations that allows for continuous care of patients. These two systems can further be broken down into two twelve hour shifts, or three eight hour shifts. Many believe that by working the 12-hour shifts they will have greater flexibility in their schedules, since they will essentially have four days off. These advantages do not off put…

    • 1593 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Healthy People 2020

    • 495 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Due to our chaotic lives in school and at work we often neglect in getting the adequate amount of sleep at night. Proper amount of sleep helps with our growth, development and function. It is imperative the public becomes aware of the general health benefits and side effects of adequate and inadequate sleep.…

    • 495 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Patrol Distribution Essay

    • 640 Words
    • 3 Pages

    This is a big challenge for police administrator because when they make the shift schedules, they have to find a balance between keeping the morale of their officers high while at the same time take in consideration the never ending concerns that citizens demand from their police departments. Moore from FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin concluded in his research that the four 10-hour day work week provides a good balance for most police departments (1995). However, it was also noted that each police department is different, therefore the demands and concerns of each police department might be different from one another and their shift schedules and patrol distribution should be created accordingly to meet the demands and concerns of each police department (Moore, 1995).…

    • 640 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Fatigue is a growing problem in law enforcement today. Lengthy shifts with unpredictable hours can cause for a major loss of sleep for law enforcement personnel. It can cause officers to act inappropriately or become injured on the job. It can cause car accidents or officers to fall asleep at the wheel. It can also cause officers to miss important details of a case; sometimes a few hours of sleep can mean the difference between life and death. Administrators should pay attention to scheduling, adopt policies…

    • 544 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Sleep Deprivation

    • 2591 Words
    • 11 Pages

    Sleep is one of the most fundamental components of a healthy existence. The phenomenon of sleep deprivation, resulting either from lifestyle choices or the undertreatment of sleep related illnesses, could be a factor for a multitude of health disorders prevalent in today’s society (Nature, 2005). It is suggested that people of industrialized countries obtain about 20% less sleep today than they did a century ago. Sleep deprivation has been linked to Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and has also been found to significantly increase the chance of a motor-vehicle accident (Wilson, 2005). In order to address the problem of sleep deprivation, it is imperative that the motivation behind sleep and sleep deprivation is understood. This essay will look at sleep and sleep deprivation through five different perspectives of motivation: evolutionary, psychodynamic, behaviourist, cognitive, and hierarchy of needs. This essay will then argue that by viewing sleep and sleep deprivation from a multitude of perspectives, a holistic understanding of the phenomena might be achieve.…

    • 2591 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    While the police force are in duty patrolling the streets, some of the things they need to deal with is having patients, keeping up with their schedules and shifts, working during holidays, eating healthy, having a good sense and sound judgment in real matters, and be physically in shape for the job. In additional to the challenges are the weaknesses one might face. One has to be prepared during his/her shift, while working though sickness, and climates in any environment. The common rules for many officers is having correct reports, and putting themselves to a higher standers. Despite the fact that the greatest strengths working in the police force are investigating skills, motivating others, and taking care of the…

    • 535 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Police Officer Essay

    • 493 Words
    • 2 Pages

    * Police officers work in partnership with the communities they serve to maintain law and order, protect members of the public and their property, prevent crime, reduce the fear of crime and improve the quality of life for all citizens. They use a wide range of technology to protect individuals, identify the perpetrators of crime and ensure successful prosecutions against those who break the law. Police officers work closely with members of the criminal justice system, social workers, schools, local businesses, health trusts, housing authorities, town planners and community groups to provide advice, education and assistance to those who wish to reduce crime or have been affected by crime. I chose to research this job because I like to help people and the best way I can imagine doing this is becoming a cop.…

    • 493 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays