Cause and Effect - Amazon S3 · 5 Restorative Rest Program Destination Zero Conference The Cause •Law enforcement is a 24-hour operation What does shift work mean for law enforcement?

1

Henderson Police DepartmentDestination Zero Conference

1

Cause and Effect

June 2017


2 Restorative Rest Program

Introduction

Under the name “Restorative Rest,” the Henderson Police Department in Nevada has officially endorsed the practice with what we hope will become a trend-setting policy

In our unique program, we have provided secure rooms where tired officers can use the Restorative Rest Program while on duty to fuel a resurgence of mental acuity

2



Top Ten Most Sleep-Deprived Jobs

1. Home health aides2. Lawyers3. Police officers4. Physicians/paramedics5. Economists6. Social workers7. Computer programmers8. Financial analysts9. Plant operators10. Secretaries

References

Tuttle, B. (2012, Feb. 24). Time. Retrieved June 21, 2017, from http://business.time.com/2012/02/24/top-10-most-yawn-sleep-deprived-jobs/



The Cause

• Law enforcement is a 24-hour operation

• Police work is mentally and physically taxing

– Decisions with consequences

– Report writing and documentation

– Increased officer safety issues

• Constant internal and external scrutiny

• Staffing issues in field application

3



The Cause

• Law enforcement is a 24-hour operation

What does shift work mean for law enforcement?

Policies address minimum time off between shifts but cannot control whether or not officers use that time to rest

Restorative rest is a liability safety net for officers, government, and the public



The Cause

• Police work is mentally and physically taxing

– Decisions with consequences

• Officers must make split-second decisions with life-and-death consequences

• Must consistently operate with a clear, cognitive work space, making decisions that affect citizens’ freedoms

– Report writing and documentation

• Reports must stand the test of time and scrutiny

4



The Cause

• Constant internal and external scrutiny

– The public demands and deserves officers who are professionals. An officer sleeping in public is a poor representation of the department; however, with no other options, fatigue will overcome even the best officer

– With a Restorative Rest Program, something that has gone on as long as police work has existed can now be safely managed and used to improve effectiveness and reduce liability



The Cause

• Staffing issues in field application

– In law enforcement, this issue is worldwide

– How does your agency approach officers sleeping on duty?• Leadership is not only about addressing the easy things that

require a yes or a no; it also means not ignoring behaviors that need to be addressed

• Leaders build trust when they demonstrate that they have not forgotten where they came from

• Leaders must be willing to listen to the needs of the officers in an environment that is rapidly changing

• For this program to be successful, leaders must be involved and ensure that the program is not taken advantage of or misused

5



The Effect

• Avoiding liability

• Managing existing taboo

• Improving officer wellness and safety



The Effect • Avoiding liability

– Government

– Department

– Chief/sheriff

– Officer/deputy

– Exposure to the public

• Pictures taken of sleeping officers can cause the public to question the trust they put in us

6



The Effect • Avoiding liability

– Well-rested officers

• Make better critical and analytical decisions

• Operate emergency equipment more safely

• Articulate their actions more accurately when writing reports



The Effect • Managing an existing unofficial practice

– Written policies do not battle fatigue

• Providing options with defined protocols and safe locations

• Establishing an accepted standard rather than an unofficial practice

7



The Effect • Improving officer wellness

– A short nap of 20 to 30 minutes increases alertness and judgment

• Officer safety

– Officer ambushes are occurring at an alarming rate, and a sleeping officer is a perfect target for attack



The Goal• As practicing professionals

– Change the unrealistic expectation of human ability under the effects of fatigue and exhaustion

– Share this program in an effort to affect change worldwide concerning officer wellness and safety

– Change the minds and stances of administrators who “had to suck it up”

8


15

Henderson Police Department Restorative Rest Policy



Resources Needed• A quiet, dark, and safe room in which officers

can rest

– Bunk beds or reclining chairs

• Associated costs vary (we received chairs from our fire department that were being cycled out)

– Phone system

– Policy to govern the program

– Trust between your officers and the community

9



Lessons Learned/Recommendations• Officers will not utilize the program if they do not feel safe

– Supervisor should have candid discussions about the program and the safety net it provides• This should not be misconstrued as an option for everyday use

• The purpose of this program is to have a plan when circumstances prevent officers from being alert (neighbor’s barking dog, new baby at home, court schedule, etc.)

– Supervisor should show support for the program and encourage its use when it is appropriate and clearly define what is not acceptable for the agency

– When implementing the program, a safe place is paramount for its success• Officers will not be able to rest if the location is not secure and secret (to

the public)

• Policies are typically available to the public, and therefore, consideration should be given to how your policy describes the authorized locations

• Many citizens have police scanners, and therefore, silent dispatch should be used if at all possible (we utilize our MDTs)



Consequences and Outcomes• Since implementing this program, we have not

identified any fatigue-related officer-involved accidents

• We have established a policy that allows us to govern something that will happen whether we like it or not

• Our officers see that we have given thought to their health and wellness, and this demonstrates to them that they are important to the administration

• We have been able to make a positive change in the industry of policing and begin a dialogue that will save lives and minimize liability for officers, departments, and government

10


19

Sergeant Jamie Borden [email protected]

Captain Wade [email protected]

If you would like a copy of our policy, please send us an e-mail, and we will be happy to share it with you

Henderson Police Department Restorative Rest Contact Information

Restorative Rest Program

Documents

Cause and Effect - Amazon S3 · 5 Restorative Rest Program Destination Zero Conference The Cause •Law enforcement is a 24-hour operation What does shift work mean for law enforcement?