Author(s):
Johannes Holz

Institution:
Hochschule für Polizei Baden-Württemberg

Title:
The Influence of Sleep Deprivation on Police Shooting Performance

Abstract:
Seite 2-11

This study investigates the influence of sleep deprivation on the shooting performance of police officers in Baden-Württemberg. Two experimental studies were conducted to analyze shooting performance after a night without sleep compared to a normal sleep night. The first study involved 28 police students participating in a standardized shooting exercise, while the second study included 37 participants and also examined the impact of stress on shooting performance. The results indicate that sleep deprivation did not have a significant effect on shooting performance. While sleep deprivation significantly increased fatigue, this appeared to have no impact on shooting performance. These findings suggest that police officers may be able to maintain their performance in high-stress situations despite sleep deprivation. Future research should further investigate the effects of chronic sleep deprivation and the relevance of stress levels in real operational situations.