NCJ Number
125377
Journal
Canadian Police College Journal Volume: 14 Issue: 2 Dated: (1990) Pages: 81-97
Date Published
1990
Length
17 pages
Annotation
The impact of a compressed work week on the work attitudes of Canadian police officers was examined through interviews with affected officers in three police forces in Canada and through interviews with police managers.
Abstract
The Quebec police force used a 9-hour shift with 4 days on and 3 days off rotating over a 35-day period. One Ontario police force had a 12-hour shift consisting of 2 days on, 2 nights on, and 4 days off; the other implemented its 12-hour shifts over a 4-week cycle. In each force, 25 officers were interviewed. Results showed that the compressed work week enabled police officers to clearly separate their home and work lives more effectively than did the 8-hour shifts. Most participants also showed pride in their job. Self-reported fatigue was a greater problem on the 12-hour shifts than on the shorter shifts. Findings showed that shift scheduling can influence how central police officers' jobs are to their lives, their perceptions of their agency effectiveness, and their perceived ability to perform their own jobs well. Because compressed work weeks will continue, police managers should consider which system is the most appropriate to their agencies. Figure, charts, and 20 references.