Assess why shift work is potentially stressful for officers.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Shift work can be stressful for officers for a number of reasons. As most police departments need 24 hr coverage, officers frequently work in different shifts to ensure they are adequately staffed to meet the needs of citizens. Commonly, the day is divided into three shifts, day (8 a.m.to 4 p.m.), afternoon (4 p.m. to 12 a.m.), and night (12 a.m. to 8 a.m.). Each shift has its own stressors. Day shift is usually the least disruptive to officers daily routine and personal life but may be stressful because more supervisors and administrators present, and as such, officers work may be more closely scrutinized. Afternoon shift is stressful from a family or social prospective, as officers may find themselves working or sleeping when family and friends are awake and find that family and friends are asleep when the officer is awake. Obviously, this makes it difficult to engage in family or social activities. Night shift may also experience the social and familial issues associated with working, while most others are asleep. In addition, night shift may also lead to problems sleeping, as people are physiologically designed to sleep at night. With the disruption of the circadian rhythm comes chronic sleep deprivation, which in turn may lead to many more serious health concerns. Finally, shift work, in general, may require officers to work weekends and holidays that many others would have off, which may have social or familial implications.