NCJ Number
149301
Date Published
1993
Length
47 pages
Annotation
The Great Britain Home Office commissioned this study to review the Ottawa police shift system in order to assess its impact on performance, personnel factors, and cost.
Abstract
The English police service has traditionally provided 24- hour cover to the public through the regulation shift pattern, in which four shift groups cover a 28-day cycle by working a rotation of 8-hour shifts. Seven rest days are made available during this period, interspersed in blocks of 2 or 3 days between these 7-day periods. The Ottawa system, in contrast, is based on a five-shift, 35-day work pattern with the day split into a 10-hour day shift, a 10-hour afternoon shift, and an 8.5-hour night shift. In return for a slightly longer work day, officers gain an extra 42 rest days per year. Based on data obtained from the Comparative Performance Measures Inventory, Officer Perception Inventory, and interviews and group discussions, this study found that the Ottawa shift system did not provide any appreciable savings nor did it lead to a better match of resources to demand. Some managers and officers were doubtful that the system could meet the requirements of acute situation or nonpatrol functions. 3 tables, 6 figures, 10 references, and 3 appendixes