NCJ Number
92566
Date Published
1982
Length
9 pages
Annotation
The system of the Greenville Police Department (South Carolina) for scheduling patrol officers' work, in which officers are on duty for four 9-hour work days followed by 2 days off has proven to be cost effective and popular with personnel.
Abstract
The program was initiated to lessen stress on individual officers, to improve police field coverage service during shift changes, to improve roll call procedures, and to reduce overtime costs. Under the program, more time is available for roll calls and officers need not report early for roll calls. There is a 1-hour overlap between shifts allowing for shift changes. Officers work 2,205 hours instead of the 2,088 hours they worked before and have 120 days off instead of 104. The cost savings from the reduction in overtime amount to over $40,000 a year. In addition, the number of police accidents has dropped because of increased officer alertness, resulting in additional vehicle cost and manhour savings. Appendixes compare the days off for various squads for the new schedule and the old schedule.