Most of us who’ve worked the graveyard shift have done it at one time or another—pulled off into the woods or behind a factory to catch a quick nap. On those nights when nothing is happening and you find yourself falling asleep at the wheel, it seems like the prudent thing to do. However, is it right?—no, department policy forbids it, and if you get caught, disciplinary action is sure to follow. Worse yet, given all the ambushes on cops, being asleep on the street can have tragic consequences.
So what’s the answer? Well, we know the human body has what’s known as a circadian rhythm (CR), which is how the body responds to light and darkness. CR is our internal clock; working nights negatively impacts the internal clock in a huge way. The night shift disrupts our sleep pattern and interferes with the production of melatonin, the hormone that makes us sleepy.
Being sleepy while working the street is downright dangerous. According to the National Institute of Justice , “Sleep deprivation is comparable to excessive drinking.” One study discovered that not sleeping for 17 hours negatively affected motor skills similar to someone who had been drinking and had a 0.05 percent toxicity level. Don’t sleep for 24 hours, and that level rises to 0.10 percent, and impairs speech, balance, coordination, and mental judgment.
Obviously having sleep deprived officers on the street is major and demands a solution. In that regard, a unique program is being tested just outside of Las Vegas by the Henderson Police Department. Known as “Restorative Rest,” it involves sanctioned naps during the night. The department provides secure rooms where tired cops can grab a nap, on duty, to maintain or restore their mental acuity. Capt. Wade Seekatz promoted the pilot program. He’s a certified Force Science Analyst who said, “We truly believe this is going to save the lives of officers, lead to better decision-making and performance on the street, reduce liability for the department, and stand the test of public scrutiny.”
How does the program work? The city provided four municipal buildings scattered across the three patrol sectors. A tired or stressed officer or supervisor in need of rejuvenation can ask to be “dispatched” to one of these locations for his normal lunch hour, and, with approval, remain there for any portion of the allotted 60 minutes. Each room is equipped with a restroom, kitchen, phone, desktop computer, and two lounge chairs. Only one occupant is permitted in a room at a time, and only one supervisor from each sector may make the request.
Capt. Seekatz said, Research shows that even a 20-minute nap can generate two to three hours of heightened alertness.” Henderson PD Chief Patrick Moers added, “ … while no scientific study of Henderson’s program has yet been conducted, authorities consider it a success anecdotally. We haven’t had any more fatigue-related accidents, and we haven’t had anyone written up for sleeping on duty in unauthorized places.”
Could this new concept be the answer to the problem known as graveyard fatigue? The jury is still out, and it has yet to be announced to the public, however, the program looks and sounds promising.
There’s also been positive feedback from cops on the street. One officer, Brett Anderson, said, “It’s been a huge help to me. I have three kids at home and getting good sleep, especially during the daytime hours, can be extremely difficult. A nap can get you back refreshed to where you’re not worried about being a danger on the road.”
Kudos to Henderson PD for an innovative solution to a vexing problem.
Stay Safe, Brothers and Sisters!
John Wills
John M. Wills is a former Chicago police officer and retired FBI agent. He is a freelance writer and award-winning author in a variety of genres, including novels, short stories and poetry. John also writes book reviews for the New York Journal of Books, and is a member of the National Book Critics Circle. His new book, The Year Without Christmas, is available now. Visit John at: www.johnmwills.com.
