FR 2021-00690

Overview

Title

Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

Agencies

ELI5 AI

The CDC wants to teach police officers how to work and sleep better. They plan to try their new lessons on 60 officers, and people can say what they think about this idea for 30 days.

Summary AI

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has submitted a request for approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to conduct an information collection project focused on law enforcement training. This project aims to address the health and safety risks associated with shift work and long work hours by developing a training program for officers. The pilot study will involve 60 law enforcement officers, using surveys and wearable devices to track sleep and evaluate the effectiveness of the training. The goal is to improve the quality of work schedules and personal strategies to help officers manage the demands of their job. Public comments on this project are encouraged within 30 days of this notice.

Type: Notice
Citation: 86 FR 3156
Document #: 2021-00690
Date:
Volume: 86
Pages: 3156-3157

AnalysisAI

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has submitted a proposal to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) seeking approval to conduct a research project aimed at reducing health and safety risks associated with shift work and long work hours in law enforcement. This initiative, titled Online Training for Law Enforcement to Reduce Risks Associated with Shift Work and Long Work Hours, is designed to create an educational program for police officers. It involves a pilot study with 60 officers to test the training's effectiveness in improving sleep quality and work-related safety.

Summary of the Document

The document outlines a proposed project by the CDC to develop and test an online training program for law enforcement officers. The primary focus is on reducing risks tied to irregular work schedules, which impact officers' health and personal lives. The pilot study will include rigorous tracking of sleep patterns using wearable devices and will assess any changes in behavior or knowledge gained from the training. Public and agency comments on this proposal are invited within 30 days to ensure transparency and capture any concerns or improvements suggested by the community.

Significant Issues or Concerns

Several issues within the document warrant attention. The proposal does not detail the budget or specific funding sources, which could provoke concerns about financial transparency and efficient use of resources. Additionally, the language describing the methodology may be overly complex for a general audience, potentially obscuring understanding and hindering public engagement.

Another point of concern is the lack of information on how the results from this study will be applied beyond the immediate scope of the participants. Transparency about the implications and broader applicability of research findings is crucial to justifying the study's relevance. Furthermore, there is insufficient detail regarding the consent process for participants, which is imperative to ensure ethical standards are met.

The proposal also does not discuss any incentives or compensation for participant involvement, which is significant given the time commitment required. Without these considerations, participant enthusiasm and engagement might be negatively impacted.

Impact on the Public

Broadly, this proposal could positively affect public safety by potentially improving the health and well-being of law enforcement officers. By addressing issues like sleep disturbances and chronic health problems tied to shift work, this training could lead to more effective and safer policing.

However, if not implemented correctly or communicated transparently, the initiative might raise public concerns regarding resource allocation and the true benefits of the project.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For law enforcement officers, this project could offer practical support and strategies to better manage the challenges posed by demanding work schedules. This would positively impact their health, job satisfaction, and personal lives.

On the other hand, without clear outcomes or applied policy changes resulting from the study, officers might see little immediate benefit. Additionally, stakeholders in the policy-making arena could find the research findings less actionable if the document fails to link research outcomes to policy improvements.

Overall, while the initiative appears well-intentioned, increased transparency, simplicity in communication, and actionable feedback are essential for gaining public trust and ensuring the study's impact extends beyond its participants.

Issues

  • • The document refers to 'spending' indirectly by discussing the allocation of resources for data collection and training development but does not specify the estimated budget or funding details, which could lead to concerns about transparency and potential wasteful spending.

  • • The language used in the document is complex, particularly the description of the pre-test, post-test, and methodology, which may be difficult for individuals without a technical or research background to understand.

  • • There is no mention of how the results of this pilot study will be disseminated to inform wider public safety and occupational health policies, potentially leading to concerns about the practical utility of the study beyond the participants involved.

  • • The document does not specify the consent process for participants in sufficient detail, which might raise ethical concerns regarding the clarity of participant understanding and voluntary involvement.

  • • The document lacks specific information on how the feedback from the survey results will directly influence policy or training beyond general improvements, which might raise concerns about the actionable impact of the study.

  • • The document mentions no specific incentives or compensation for participants, which might be viewed as a concern considering the amount of time and engagement required from them.

Statistics

Size

Pages: 2
Words: 1,520
Sentences: 58
Entities: 103

Language

Nouns: 522
Verbs: 131
Adjectives: 94
Adverbs: 14
Numbers: 73

Complexity

Average Token Length:
4.73
Average Sentence Length:
26.21
Token Entropy:
5.38
Readability (ARI):
17.82

Reading Time

about 5 minutes