A video shared by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta has stirred laughter, criticism, and outrage on social media, after showing a Cuban police officer asleep while on duty at the Second Unit of the PNR in Santiago de Cuba.
The footage reveals how a person managed to enter the unit without the deeply sleeping officer noticing their presence. The accumulated fatigue and the poor living conditions faced by many Cuban police officers, who are often undernourished and visibly thin, seem to have taken a toll in this case, rendering the officer unable to perform his basic security duties.
The incident has ignited a debate on social media about whether it is justifiable for a police officer to fall asleep during their watch, or if this behavior is unacceptable in a profession that demands maximum alertness and responsibility. While some users have shown sympathy towards the officer, others have harshly criticized the failure to fulfill his duties, reminding that the safety of the public cannot be compromised by a sleeping police officer.
Debate Surrounding Police Fatigue in Cuba
The incident with the sleeping police officer has raised several questions among the public. Below are some frequently asked questions and their answers regarding police fatigue and its implications in Cuba.
Why are Cuban police officers facing such fatigue?
Cuban police officers often face poor living conditions, including inadequate nutrition and long working hours, which contribute to their extreme fatigue.
Is it acceptable for a police officer to fall asleep on duty?
While some people may show empathy due to the difficult conditions officers face, falling asleep on duty is widely regarded as unacceptable because police work requires high levels of alertness and responsibility to ensure public safety.
What measures can be taken to prevent such incidents?
Improving living conditions, ensuring proper nutrition, and managing working hours more effectively are some measures that could help prevent police officers from falling asleep on duty.