In a roundabout from former Chief David Wray’s scheduling [link is behind pay firewall], Interim Chief Tim Bellamy, in a reversal of the way his predecessor organized the city police department, said Tuesday that patrol officers will no longer change schedules every few weeks. Officers instead will work a permanent shift with hours that stay the same indefinitely. The schedule change could begin as early as spring, once logistical concerns are addressed.
Other can costing more money (new patrol cars are needed), the question is whether or not this is better for policing (and not “do police officers like it more”?). Does it reduce crime? It does reduce an officer’s daytime shift from 11 hours (four days on, four days off) to a shorter shift (five days on, four days off), according to the N&R report.
Does this scheduling change satisfy our cops? It seems to: “It’s like a punch list on a new house,” [Officer Eddy] Summers said. “We (still) got the new house.”
I didn’t see any stats regarding the effectiveness of rotating shifts on new hires. Did it increase police retention when everyone could get a chance to work daytime shifts? Are most desirable shifts (presumably daytime) going to entrenched officers? Are the higher-crime times going to have both veteran and less-experienced officers?
In other words, was the change made to make some police officers happy or was it done in accordance with what’s best to reduce and control crime in Greensboro?
Sue: All questions that I have plans to ask in the coming weeks. As for today’s story, I felt it important to get word out that a change had, indeed, been made. The analysis is to follow… Thanks for reading. – Eric
Sue,
I was going to respond to your excellent questions here, but I was getting way too lengthy and decided to post instead on my own blog. Here’s the link:
http://sandycarmany.blogspot.com/2007/01/why-end-rotating-shifts-now.html
Sandy, I read your post and commented over there. I’m looking forward to the rest of what you have to say (after the ice/snow) when you locate the documentation in your office. Thanks again for the insight.