Sleep Disorders Among Police Officers

[JDS74]

A new study shows elevated numbers of sleep disorders among Police Officers. The study seems to imply that more care should be given to people involved in high risk acivities. More study is needed.

http://www.medpagetoday.com/PrimaryCare ... ders/30329

Note that the highest incidence of sleep disorders reported is obstructive sleep apnea.

[jnk]

It is my belief (assumption?) that the same results would be found measuring any group of mostly males over 25 with mostly-sedentary, high-stress jobs.

[GumbyCT]

It is my belief (assumption?) that the same results would be found measuring any group of mostly males over 25 with mostly-sedentary, high-stress jobs.

Esp. when they recruit from a high risk population. What are the odds?

[jnk]

It is my belief (assumption?) that the same results would be found measuring any group of mostly males over 25 with mostly-sedentary, high-stress jobs.

Esp. when they recruit from a high risk population. What are the odds?

Well, I know I've always considered myself to be one of the "odds." But that's another story completely, I guess.

[DadscreepyCPAPmask]

I been a cop for over 20 years and been working 12 hr shifts for the last 4 years. I work midnights 9 out of 12 months per year. Basically, I have been working rotating shifts for about the last 25 years of my life. I have sleep apnea (CPAP use), high blood pressure (take meds, but is still a bit high), and some anxiety issues at times. I am a day person by nature so I absolutely hate nights. I am 43 years old, in decent shape, not overweight and eat fairly well.

It is nice to see this study, but honestly, the industry could give two shits about it. The real fact is that many police officers are out patrolling everyday sleep deprived to the point where they could be considered legally intoxicated under the law had they been drinking. We are not allowed to take naps on the job like our buddies the fireman. The law enforcement community will continue to not address this issue and turn a blind eye on it because it is of no overall importance in the grand scheme of things. I may seem pretty bitter about this, but I speak the truth. My plan is to hang on just 7 more years, retire, and get a day job

[GumbyCT]

I have sleep apnea (CPAP use), high blood pressure (take meds, but is still a bit high), and some anxiety issues at times.

At least YOU are doing something about it. So many do not. I hate rotating shifts, period. It is NOT natural. Before my Dx, I once chose mids just so I could get adjusted to something steady.

It takes my body about 1 month to get used to a shift change. I found that sleeping so I was waking just before work - was best for me, almost like I was on day shift. Anything else and I was already tired when I went in.

I am a day person by nature so I absolutely hate nights. I am 43 years old, in decent shape, not overweight and eat fairly well.

I think we ALL are by nature. Some just prefer to hide in the dark.

It is nice to see this study, but honestly, the industry could give two shits about it.

O I do agree. In fact you would think that the industry would be concerned about having your backup well rested with a clear head.

[jnk]

I been a cop for over 20 years . . .

And you have survived. Something to be said for that.

. . . I may seem pretty bitter about this . . .

The cops who aren't ticked about working conditions are generally the ones who aren't paying attention.

But, nah, you don't sound that bitter, to me anyway, relatively speaking.

Besides, as long as your resentment is directed toward management/oversight, and not toward the civilians you serve, you're still one of the true good guys, right? The various law-enforcement unions/associations don't seem as vocal on those issues as they could be.

Several years of shift work in a pressroom messed up my internal clock pretty badly when I was younger. It wasn't so bad when I could go on one shift for several months and had time to adjust. That ability seems to be a matter of genes, though, from what I've seen. Some can adjust, some simply can't.

But the times when I had to switch from days to nights to evenings several times in the span of a few weeks, my body eventually gave up telling me anything after a while--when to eat, when to sleep, when to think. It took a few years for me to get completely readjusted to a normal schedule, once I had one. But it did eventually adjust.

Thanks for your service. I hope your plan works out for you.

[DadscreepyCPAPmask]

But the times when I had to switch from days to nights to evenings several times in the span of a few weeks, my body eventually gave up telling me anything after a while--when to eat, when to sleep, when to think. It took a few years for me to get completely readjusted to a normal schedule, once I had one. But it did eventually adjust.

Yes, that is very bad!

[BlackSpinner]

When you think about just how many studies have been done about the negative effects of shift work in the last oh 75 YEARS you would think management or the unions would clue in! So many people who do important functions must do it - police, firemen, interns, airplane mechanics, nurses, and many more... our lives depend on legally drunk people.

[jnk]

I am somehow reminded of two irreverent lines from the Drew Carey show:

Drew Carey: Oh, you hate your job? Why didn't you say so? There's a support group for that. It's called EVERYBODY, and they meet at the bar.

Lewis Kiniski: My dad always said- "The day I can't do my job drunk is the day I turn in my badge and gun."