Thread: 12 Hour Shifts Yes or No, Pros N Cons, Voting soon.

Hi, We are currently on a 8 Hr shift, I Like the 8 Hour shift for a lot of reasons, I know alot of people on 12's Some Like them Some Don't, I Don' Like them just wondering what you guys thought since some of the guys in our Dept want to go to them and we will be voting soon.

We are a busy Dept in the Summer and Slow in the Winter, I just know that time will either drag or you will be over loaded with work plus 12 on the desk will be rough.

I have worked 8's and currently work 12's. I will say that both have pros and cons. I worked afternoons when I was on 8's which meant I didn't get home too late and I also could sleep in. Midnights on 8's felt like I really only had one day off and then it was back to work which I hated.

As far as 12's go I love them. I like having consecutive days off. I only work three days one week and four days another week. I am on midnights in a very busy city and at times it's nonstop which can wear you down but it does make the night go quick.

Honestly, you may be there for 12 hours but I can tell you most people only truly work maybe 10 hours. I mean there are nights were it is non stop going call to call but for the most part there comes a point in the night where I know I am not going to be on the hunt and just sort of shut it down. I will do my paperwork, eat, bs with guys on my shift etc.

Overall I use less vacation time, burn less sick time and have more time for family.

Most departments here are on either 12's or 10's our command staff said that 10's were not cost effective so we voted and went from 8's to 12's.

I think hawk highlighted some important points. How busy are you and your backup units going to be? Is there any "downtime"? How does it effect scheduling? Officer alertness? You said your dept is busier at certain times of year. Are there seasonal or temporary officers to help pick up the slack? Will officers be rotated through assignments or is your beat your beat? As you can see there are many, many variables to consider. I use to work 12hr shifts in EMS and we would often swap with our opposite crew so we would each end up working 24hrs. There was enough downtime that it was doable and really maximized home time. I've also worked 12 hr shifts in LE and HATED it. Of course it was 12hr shifts x 5 days/week. So as you can see, there is a lot to consider.

It's been decades since I worked under a 4/10 plan, and it only lasted about 18 months. Part of the challenge in my department was it was integrated with a plan that shifted half the day watch on a monthly shift change to working an overlap on the higher crime evening watch. Supervisors hated it from a scheduling and supervisory perspective; most of the rank and file enjoyed the extra day off. I did.

12 is a long haul and if I was looking at it today I would want to consider a number of factors:

1. The culture and practices of the agency with regard to outside employment. 12 plus 8 for sleep leaves 4 hours. If folks work second gigs exhaustion becomes serious. Even if they do a side job on the off days, there is no break.

2. Court scheduling. A lot has changed since my time in uniform (including paying for court time) but figure the courts may not go to a 12 hour shift. Fine if court falls during the 12, not so fine if you are using the 4 or cutting into the 8 for sleep.

3. Assignments. I hoofed a beat for a while under the 4/10. Even given the luxurious life of the beat man, 12 would be a challenge. Even Paul Revere didn't spend 12 hours on horseback, or on a bike saddle. I know nobody does, but you will spend more time at it than under the 8 hour shift plan.

4. I did my extended tours before my wife and I had children. Great to have the extra days off, but as kids came along and school, not having some daily time with the family will be a challenge for some. Did plenty of 12 and more hour days as a Fed, but also got home a lot of days for some family time. Kind of reminds me of the old line about nuclear submarine sailors who do six months at sea and six ashore. "Whether you love your wife or hate your wife, you're happy half the year."

Besides the CONS and PROS posted above, my main concern is Officer Safety and alterness...12 hrs has an effect in a LEO alertness level...I have worked 10/4 as a patrol officer and I loved it, was the right amount work time and time off...I have worked as a 1811 many, many times 12 + hrs and it really hits you...whether you're doing protection or any investigative activity...12 hrs I just dont think is safe

How would a 10 HR SCHD lay out and what kind of man power would you need?

Originally Posted by BLACK Z

How would a 10 HR SCHD lay out and what kind of man power would you need?

You would need 3 tours with a 2 hr overlapping between 2 of the shifts

The vote passed, not by much but it did. Now we have to figure out hours and if there will be any over lapping shifts.

Brother. Make a phone call to the best scheduled police department I have ever encountered. Bellingham, Washington PD. I'm talking an amazing schedule (at least in my book), where 10 and 12 hour shifts equal rotating and frequent periods of 4 and 5 days off as part of the normal schedule, all while still having your regualr vacation days. I'd say reach out to them and try to integrate their hours into your depts.

Ill try and call there this week do you have a Number?

Well we have been on them for a little over 5 Months, We had a six Month Trial period, When we voted the first time it passed by only 1 vote, we are we voting again and I am pretty sure it will pass by a lot more.

I was for them ( I hate change ) but I do like them now, The bosses want to do another 6 Month trial period so we arent on them for good yet.

We work 8 to 8 and the SRO's and Det along with some Brass are still on 8's.

Figured I d give you guys a update.

Normally, we would scold for posting in old threads but I appreciate folks who keep us updated. It helps keep the forum active. Feel free to start a new thread with more observations after the new vote and how the guys still on 8s are feeling.