Sleep and fatigue interventions

Following the results of the first national police wellbeing survey in 2019, we have embarked upon a number of pieces of work to tackle fatigue as this was highlighted as a big area of concern for people.

The survey identified that 45% of police officers and 30% of police staff reported sleeping less than six hours per night very often or all of the time over the three months preceding the survey. People working shifts indicated more frequently experiencing poor sleep quality with 27% of police officers and 25% of police staff reporting disturbed sleep.

 

As a result, we are working with leading experts in the field and have begun to roll out a series of programmes and pilots to support officers and staff in this area including:

 

Better sleep toolkit

We have teamed up with The Sleep Scientist Dr Sophie Bostock, to create a 'Better Sleep Toolkit' aimed at supporting police officers, staff, and volunteers with fatigue and sleep problems.

In this toolkit, you will find our four week better sleep online course, a series of webinars and some bite-sized advice to help you improve your sleep.

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The SAFER programme

The SAFER (sleep, alertness and fatigue in emergency responders) programme aims to increase knowledge of sleep health, sleep hygiene, sleep disorders.

It also includes methods for managing fatigue and examples of how to manage generic shift work schedules, in police officers and staff, through an online education session.

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Washington State University study

This study with Washington State University, uses a training intervention to improve officer health and wellbeing, by improving their sleep and reducing their fatigue levels.

The overarching intent is to create a positive culture of support around sleep, health, and wellbeing.

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SleepiEST project

SleepiEST is a research project which aims to reduce road crashes caused by sleepiness through monitoring shift-workers who drive either as part of their work, or when commuting - with the data being used to estimate and predict motorists’ fatigue levels.

SleepiEST project
Sleep, fatigue and recovery biometrics programme

Our sleep, fatigue and recovery biometrics programme is a 120-day programme which helps officers and staff build a unique and personalised view of their sleep, fatigue and recovery levels. 

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