Effects of Long Duty Hours Among Police Officers: Basis for Enhanced Health and Wellness Program

Police officers may enhance their physical health by eating well, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep. Police officers who maintain good physical condition are less likely to suffer from hypertension, heart disease, cancer, degenerative joint illnesses, and diabetes. Those who keep a healthy weight or lead an active lifestyle can lower their risk and severity of injury. The participants of the study were seventy (70) police officers from the province of Quezon and the city of Lucena. The researchers study mainly focused on what they should prepare for whenever they engage in long-term work and to improve the programs conducted by the PNP for their minds and bodies so that they can do their job properly. The program is intended to determine the effects of long hours of duty through physiological and psychological means. The researchers use the descriptive method technique to determine the characteristics of the population under study. The results show that the majority of the respondents are experiencing physical fatigue due to their long hours of duty, difficulty sleeping, and difficulty conducting patrols. The results show that for their psychological well-being, the respondents experienced mood swings, poor decisions-making, and a lack of self-care. Furthermore, the police officers, students, and future police officers would be more inclined to participate in the activities as they would have a better understanding of the importance of mental health and would be able to perform properly in their work, value their mental health, become more aware of their mental health, and perform more professionally in all aspects of their lives.