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Researchers at the University of Iowa have found that police officers who sleep fewer than six hours per night are more susceptible to chronic fatigue and health problems, such as being overweight or obese, and contracting diabetes or heart disease. 

The study found that officers working the evening or night shifts were 14 times more likely to get less restful sleep than day-shift officers, and also were subjected to more back-to-back shifts, exacerbating their sleep deficit.

The study is the first peer-reviewed look at differences in duration and quality of sleep in the context of shift work and health risks in the police force, the authors noted.

Lead author Sandra Ramey said tat the problems are correctable. 

"This study further confirmed the impact of shift work on law enforcement officers and the importance of sleep as a modifiable risk factor for police," Ramey said. "There are approaches we can take to break the cascade of poor sleep for police officers."

The findings were published in May in the journal Workplace Health & Safety.

Researchers say that the findings are important because it poses a threat to public safety could affect staffing, leading to higher health costs borne by taxpayers.

Researchers surveyed 85 male police officers between 22 and 63 years old from three police departments in eastern Iowa. The officers worked on average 46 hours per week and were questioned about their stress levels and fatigue, while their height, weight, and C-reactive protein levels (marks inflammation levels in the blood) were measured.

In the study, 83 percent of police on the evening or night shift reported having to report to duty early the next morning, at least occasionally. 

Researchers say that administrators could change the morning time that evening or night-shift officers may need to appear in court, to ensure that they get full rest and closely partner law enforcement and nurses to encourage officers to get 7-8 hours of sleep per night.

The researchers also found that police who slept fewer than six hours were twice as likely to sleep poorly. Poor sleep can lead to "vital exhaustion," or chronic fatigue, which can trigger additional health problems, according to the researchers. 

According to the researchers, the findings are supported by other studies that suggested poor sleep and short sleep (with resultant fatigue) may be related to psychological stress. 

The researchers did not find a strong tie between lack of sleep and the onset of health complications, although they said a larger statistical sample may be needed to more fully understand the relationship.