“I hate being stuck on night shifts with no shift differential. It’s draining and unhealthy.”
This statement is just one of many examples from officers who are tired – physically, mentally and emotionally. This year’s “What Cops Want in 2024” survey, drawing input from over 2,800 officers nationwide, sheds light on the growing toll of fatigue in law enforcement.
Grueling schedules, relentless overtime and insufficient recovery time are eroding officers’ health and morale, leaving them stretched dangerously thin.
Let’s dive into the survey results to uncover the roots of this issue and its far-reaching implications.
What officers are saying
The findings on officer fatigue reveal several critical challenges that law enforcement agencies and leaders must address.
These insights highlight the urgent need for immediate action:
71% of officers reported having trouble sleeping due to work-related stress.
What this means: The majority of officers are struggling to get proper rest, often due to stress from their demanding roles. This lack of sleep exacerbates mental and physical fatigue, impairing their ability to perform at their best. Respondents pointed to challenges such as rotating shifts, mandatory overtime and the inability to disengage from work-related thoughts as key contributors. One officer noted, “I dream every single night, wake up and feel like I worked all night in my sleep.”
68% identified feeling unmotivated due to poor sleep or fatigue.
What this means: Beyond physical impacts, fatigue takes a toll on officers’ mental health, leaving them unmotivated and overwhelmed. This can lead to reduced morale and an overall sense of burnout. Respondents frequently mentioned the need for better work-life balance and support to address these challenges.
42% stated that fatigue significantly reduces their performance as police officers.
What this means: Fatigue isn’t just a personal issue – it directly impacts job performance. Officers experiencing chronic exhaustion are slower to react, less alert and more prone to errors in high-stakes situations. As one respondent shared, “Exhaustion is always on the edge, reducing alertness and mental acuity.”
34% said their work hours or shifts frequently disrupt their sleep patterns.
What this means: Irregular and unpredictable work schedules make it nearly impossible for officers to maintain a consistent sleep routine. The lack of a regular schedule disrupts circadian rhythms, further deteriorating overall health and wellness.
Zoom in
Here are five actions police leaders can take to reduce officer fatigue and support their teams:
1. Introduce recovery days after long shifts: Fatigue from back-to-back long shifts and overtime is a recurring complaint among officers. To address this, leaders should implement mandatory recovery days after extended hours or consecutive overtime shifts.
Why this matters: Respondents reported that insufficient recovery time between shifts leaves them “perpetually tired,” which negatively impacts their alertness and decision-making. Giving officers dedicated time to rest helps them recharge and reduces the risk of burnout.
2. Use data-driven scheduling to reduce fatigue: Leverage historical data on shift performance, fatigue patterns and workload trends to proactively design optimized schedules that prevent overwork. This approach helps distribute assignments evenly and reduces predictable fatigue points.
Why this matters: Survey responses highlighted the unpredictability of shifts as a major factor in disrupted sleep. One officer noted, “Bouncing shifts, callouts and court in the morning after working all night does not help.” Data-driven tools can create more balance and reduce fatigue-inducing patterns.
3. Provide sleep pods or rest zones at stations: Many industries use sleep pods to allow for short, restorative naps during breaks. Police leaders can designate quiet rest zones within stations to give officers a chance to recover during long shifts.
Why this matters: With 71% of officers reporting difficulty sleeping due to work-related stress, giving them space to take controlled naps could mitigate sleep deficits and improve performance. One respondent stated, “Sometimes you just need 20 minutes of quiet to function again.”
4. Deploy real-time fatigue monitoring tools: Use wearable tech to assess and respond to officer fatigue in real time. Supervisors can use this data to make quick adjustments, such as reassigning tasks or enforcing recovery breaks.
Why this matters: With 56% of officers reporting near-miss incidents due to fatigue, tracking fatigue levels in real time can help prevent accidents and ensure officers are operating at their best.
5. Provide targeted support for officers on night shifts: Leaders should recognize the unique challenges of night shifts and implement measures to support officers working during these hours. This might include ensuring adequate staffing levels, streamlining administrative tasks or offering additional resources to mitigate fatigue.
Why this matters: Officers described night shifts as “draining and unhealthy,” noting how disrupted sleep cycles and increased fatigue negatively affect their performance. To address these challenges, departments can focus on strategies such as ensuring adequate staffing to prevent overburdening night-shift officers, scheduling regular wellness check-ins and offering resources like access to on-duty breaks or fitness opportunities.
Zoom out
Implementing fatigue-reduction strategies doesn’t just benefit individual officers – it strengthens entire departments and enhances public safety. Here are three significant ways these efforts make a difference:
1. Boosted energy and focus: Fatigue reduction allows officers to approach each shift with renewed energy and sharper focus. When departments support wellness initiatives, such as predictable schedules, recovery time and wellness programs, officers can better manage the physical and mental demands of their jobs. Sharper focus translates to faster decision-making and more effective responses, especially in high-pressure scenarios.
2. Stronger safety measures: When officers are well-rested, their reaction times improve, judgment is more reliable and situational awareness is heightened. Fatigue is a well-documented factor in many near-miss incidents and reducing it helps ensure officers are operating at their peak performance. This translates to fewer errors, better de-escalation efforts and safer outcomes for everyone involved. Departments that prioritize rest and recovery not only safeguard their officers but also reduce potential liabilities tied to fatigue-related incidents.
3. Elevated morale and engagement: Officers who feel supported by their departments are more likely to stay engaged and committed to their work. When agencies show they value officer wellness – through meaningful actions like addressing fatigue and providing wellness resources – it fosters trust and loyalty. Officers are more likely to recommend the department to potential recruits and existing staff are less inclined to leave due to burnout. This creates a positive feedback loop: healthier officers, higher retention and a more engaged workforce.
The bottom line
Officers’ voices in the “What Cops Want in 2024” survey are a wake-up call: fatigue isn’t just wearing officers down – it’s reshaping the profession.
The cost of inaction is clear, but so is the opportunity to make real change. Departments that listen, adapt and act will not only safeguard their teams but also build a foundation for stronger, more sustainable policing.
