Staffordshire Police Federation is working with the force to ensure as few rest days as possible are cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A freedom of information request has shown that PCs, Sergeants, Inspectors and Chief Inspectors are owed the equivalent of 1,319 years of rest days.
Staffordshire Police owe their officers a total of 8,405 rest days.
The research was carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic, and as only 26 forces provided figures, the actual number of owed rest days will be even higher. As it stands, 481,419 are owed by those forces who responded to the FOI across England and Wales.
It's essential rest days are protected as much as they can be, Phil Jones, Staffordshire Police Federation Chair said.
"Rest Days are just that, days that police officers need to rest, recuperate and recharge," he said.
"So, when a police officer has their rest day cancelled, it can have a significant impact on them and their fatigue levels," he said.
"The recent wellbeing survey showed officers on average get just six hours of sleep a night; therefore, rest is critical to health and wellbeing. Let's not forget officers are entitled to a private life too and deserve to spend time with their family and friends.
"I'm working with the force to ensure that cancelled rest days are kept to a minimum and that all other options are explored before the decision is made."
