NCJ Number
167412
Journal
Gazette Volume: 58 Issue: 6 Dated: (1996) Pages: 2-9
Date Published
1996
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This paper describes the rationale and implementation of a change in the work schedules in the police department of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada from a 5/8 system involving 5 days of 8 hours each followed by 2 days off to a 4/11 system involving 4 days of 11 hours each followed by 4 days off.
Abstract
Research on the negative health and social consequences of rotating shift work led to experiments with longer shift cycles that provided personnel with more consecutive days off for recuperation. Labor-management negotiations during the 1992-94 contract talks and the use of a computer modeling program called Police Resource Optimization System led to the establishment of the new 4/11 shifting arrangement in one parole district. An evaluation after 6 months revealed positive impacts on personnel health, fatigue, family and social life, workload and schedule equity, morale, the ability to meet community needs, and organizational functioning. The evaluation data all suggested that the 4/11 shift configuration was superior to the 4/10 configuration, which involved 4 days of 10 hours each followed by 3 days off, used in the rest of the Patrol Division. Therefore, the entire Division implemented 4/11 shift in January 1995. The approach used to establish the new shifts demonstrated the ability of cooperative approaches to meet the challenges of changing needs and fiscal restraint in police agencies. Photographs and table