Six Days
In a Row?
Can you be forced to work six consecutive days? Understanding rest day rules, fatigue management, and lawful orders in policing.
Authority: Analysis based on Police Regulations 2003, Working Time Regulations, and Health & Safety law.
Executive Summary
Yes — police officers can be required to work six consecutive days.
There is no regulation that limits police officers to five days in a row.
- Working Time: Working Time Regulations still apply.
- Daily Rest: 11-hour daily rest must be preserved.
- Fatigue Risk: Fatigue risk must be assessed.
- Welfare: Welfare obligations remain.
Six days in a row is lawful — but not unlimited.
Six Days Straight?
There is no specific rule in Police Regulations 2003 preventing six consecutive days of duty.
But officers are still protected by:
Between shifts
With flexibility
On fatigue
The Legal Framework
Police officers are governed by:
- 01
Police Regulations 2003
Governs duty assignments and roster patterns.
- 02
Annex V
Variable Shift Arrangements framework.
- 03
Working Time Regulations 1998
With modifications for operational policing.
Police are not bound by the standard 48-hour weekly limit in the same way as civilian workers because of the operational nature of policing. However, Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 still applies.
Is There a "Maximum Consecutive Days" Rule?
No.
Police Regulations do not specify:
- A maximum number of days in a row
- A strict five-day cap
- A guaranteed weekend off rule
Roster patterns commonly include:
Six consecutive days is common in many forces.
Rest Requirements That Still Apply
Even if you work six days in a row, you are entitled to:
11 Hours Between Shifts
Minimum rest period between duty periods must be preserved.
24 Hours Per 7 Days
At least 24 hours uninterrupted rest per 7-day period (averaged). Can be modified but must be compensated.
What They CAN Do
- Roster you for six consecutive days
- Cancel a rest day (with compensation)
- Require overtime extending a 5th or 6th day
- Extend a shift on day six
What They CANNOT Do
- Ignore 11-hour minimum rest without justification
- Create chronic fatigue risk
- Routinely breach rest without review
- Use "operational necessity" to permanently avoid roster rules
If six-day stretches become 7, 8, 9 days consecutively without meaningful rest or welfare checks, that may breach duty of care obligations.
Fatigue & Operational Risk
Fatigue impairs:
The College of Policing and HSE recognise fatigue as a safety hazard.
Supervisors have a legal responsibility to monitor excessive hours and intervene where risk emerges.
Real-World Scenarios
Scenario 1 – Planned 6 On / 4 Off Pattern
Built into published roster.
Scenario 2 – 5 Days + Cancelled Rest Day
You are rostered 5 days. Rest day cancelled at short notice. Now working 6 consecutive days.
Scenario 3 – 6 Days + Forced Overtime Every Night
Officer works 6 days with 4-hour extensions nightly. Fatigue risk likely.
Scenario 4 – 7th Day Ordered
Rest day cancelled again. 7 days in a row.
Can You Refuse?
You must obey a lawful order.
However refusal may be reasonable if:
- You are medically unfit
- You would breach safe rest
- You have extreme caring obligations
- You are suffering acute fatigue
If refusing, document your reasons clearly.
Common Questions
Is six days in a row legal in policing?
Yes. There is no specific rule in Police Regulations 2003 preventing six consecutive days of duty, provided rest requirements are met.
Is there a five-day rule?
No. Police Regulations do not specify a maximum number of consecutive working days or a strict five-day cap.
Can police work 7 days in a row?
In exceptional operational circumstances, yes. However, this should trigger welfare reviews and fatigue risk assessments.
Does Working Time protect police?
Yes — but flexibly applied. Officers are entitled to 11 hours rest between shifts and weekly rest periods, though these can be modified for operational necessity.
Can I challenge excessive consecutive shifts?
Yes, through Federation or grievance if fatigue risk is evident or if duty of care obligations are being breached.