Law Enforcement Officers Schedule Challenges
1. How do the various shift schedules, 5/8, 4/10, and 3/12, affect officer fatigue?
While most officers were traditionally required to work 8-hour shifts for five consecutive days followed by two days of break, law-enforcement agencies have recently introduced more flexible shift schedules with various work hour length and times. This move comes with the perception that such flexible options will induce more people to join the security force which in recent times has been seeing a huge decline in number of personnel. However, some people think that such work schedules are actually affecting officers’ fatigue and abilities to deliver at work. Out of these options, perhaps the 3/12 shift schedule will take the biggest toll on an officer’s fatigue. Having to work 12 hours straight is no joke and doing so may inhibit the officer’s ability to perform at his optimum capacity. This is extremely dangerous as criminals might notice such trends and prey on the officers when they are at their most tiring and vulnerable times which inhibits their senses and awareness to their surroundings besides slowing down the time needed for a quick and sensible reaction. As for the 4/10 shift schedule, there would not be much difference as compared to the traditional 5/8 option.
2. If you were given the choice, which of the above shift schedules would you prefer to work, what hours, and why? Would you prefer rotating or fixed shifts and days off, and why?
If given a choice I will still prefer the traditional 5/8 schedule as it allows me more control over my working times and I will also have more time to spend doing other stuffs like a part-time job or simply spending time with my friends and family. It is more like a normal 9 to 5 office job. Also, a fixed shift and off-days are more preferable as I will feel more in control of my time and will be able to allocate them more effectively. It all boils down to routines, when I have a fixed schedule, it sorts of become a repetitive cycle so I do not need to readapt every single time my schedule is rotated or changed.
3. Explain the impact, if any, of community policing requirements and support on patrol shift decisions.
Community policing requirements and support will no doubt have an impact on patrol shift decisions. Officers working in areas that has community policing programs and support shall find that working fewer days and longer hours shifts like the 3/10 schedule to be more appealing as their workload will significantly be reduced in the form of more safety volunteer personnel patrolling that area, resulting in less risk and danger. Working longer hours in such conditions will also tend to be easier to pass and less boring, prompting more to go for such a …
