Hampton (VA) Sergeant Matt Bond said that the department’s decision to create “quiet rooms” for officers to rest and rejuvenate is because “eighty percent of decision-making errors and accidents in police work are a result of fatigue.”
Training Expert John Bostain calls it “a great example of making evidence based policy focused on increasing officer safety and wellness.”
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The quiet rooms, which are located in three different spots in the city, are furnished with recliners, futons, and televisions.
“For the designated amount of time, they can come in, take their belt off, turn their radio off, close the door, turn off the lights, and just get some rest. Sometimes people would just elect to come in here and eat, or come in here and quietly meditate,” Corporal Reggie Williams said.
On-duty officers only can use the rooms during their lunch break, and only one officer at a time can use a quiet room.
Hampton police say the quiet rooms offer a safe, comfortable, quiet environment to decompress.
John Bostain is the Lead Instructor for Command Presence Training Associates. He says that “the use of these rooms where officers can decompress will have immeasurable benefits. The research is very clear about the effects of fatigue has on performance and decision making . This is a great example of making evidence based policy focused on increasing officer safety and wellness.”
