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Switch to a Twelve-Hour Shift

NCJ Number
159250
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 62 Issue: 12 Dated: (December 1995) Pages: 30,32-34,36
Author(s)
R Metzger
Date Published
1995
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article discusses how the police department in Zeeland, Michigan, implemented a 12-hour fixed schedule for its patrol officers.
Abstract
The article discusses the process by which the department evaluated shift options. The 12-hour shift raised administrative concerns in terms of staffing levels, productivity, fatigue, costs, and court time. The city council, and some citizens, voiced concerns regarding the level of police-community contact, misunderstandings about 24-hour coverage, and the number of days off allotted to police officers. The 12-hour schedule has proved to be advantageous in terms of morale, easier scheduling, community policing, number of graveyard shifts, downtime, absenteeism, and officer weekends off duty. 7 notes