The driving taskĪ tired person will be less alert, less able to process information and have slower reaction times. If this occurs while driving it can prove deadly. Poorly designed shift working arrangements and long hours, which do not balance work demands with time for rest and recovery, result in unhappy staff, poor work output, fatigue, mistakes, ill health and the possibility of falling asleep at work (Shen and others, 2006). For example, a rapid forward rotating system, with few consecutive night shifts, shorter night shifts, sufficient time for rest between shifts and avoidance of extended shifts, usually prove favourable in reducing circadian disruption, sleepiness and fatigue (Knauth and Hornberger, 2003). However, there are recommendations that may minimise adverse effects of disrupted sleep. There is no universally agreed ideal shift pattern for policing. In more recent times, research has provided evidence suggesting a better balance is needed between the needs of the organisation, call demand and the health and wellbeing of the workforce (Home Office, 2010). Historically, policing simply split those 24 hours into three periods of eight hours. There are many ways in which to cover the 24-hour period. However, when it comes to wellbeing and minimising sleepiness and therefore risk, some shift patterns are better than others. Everyone has a preference that suits them or their particular lifestyle at a given time. Shift schedules are the source of much debate in policing, with many questions around the ‘best’ pattern. Acute sleep deprivation of around 24 hours has been shown to cause impairment in line with a blood alcohol concentration of 100mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood – in other words, in excess of the current drink/drive limit for England and Wales (Dawson and Reid, 1997). Sleep debt can lead to sleep deprivation. This results in a ‘sleep debt’ (Van Dongen, 2006). In addition, when trying to sleep through the day, the circadian system can kick in, causing us to wake before the sleep need has been satisfied. In shift workers, the changes in wakefulness patterns can cause desynchronisation and increased sleepiness while awake during the night. There are normally four to six cycles each night. Normal sleep consists of a series of repeating cycles, where intensity changes from being awake, to light sleep, deep sleep and dream sleep (rapid eye movement or REM sleep). ![]() The need for sleep varies widely, however the recommended amount for adults is seven to nine hours a night (Hirshkowitz and others, 2015). Humans usually experience sleepiness at least once in every 24-hour period, normally at night. ![]() People working in emergency services roles, such as policing, where high-speed, high-skill, but high-risk driving is required, are perhaps even more at risk. Those driving for work purposes are potentially at heightened risk of exposure (Lee and others, 2016). Sleepiness can be problematic, particularly when it affects drivers, where it can cause impaired ability and can ultimately result in serious and fatal road traffic collisions. However, it is known to cause sleep reduction and disturbances and is therefore associated with increased sleepiness, as well as increased risks of impaired decision making and performance degradation (Kecklund and others, 2016). Shift work will always be necessary in policing. In my current role with the National Police Wellbeing Service, I now lead on sleep and fatigue. ![]() ![]() My role in leading investigations into serious and fatal collisions is where I began to look more closely at driver impairment in its entirety, and more specifically at driver sleepiness, which led to my doctoral research. I went on to serve on roads policing teams across two forces, prior to moving to a variety of different uniformed roles. I joined West Yorkshire Police in 1996 and developed an interest in roads policing early in my career.
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