Research Paper
What are the Pros and Cons of the 12 Hour Shift as it Relates to Law Enforcement?
How Will the 12 Hour Shift Positively or Negatively Impact The Illinois State Police?
Literature Review
M/Sgt. Brian Anderson #4752
Illinois State Police
Abstract Police work is a 24 hour a day 365 days a year endeavor. Scheduling officers to cover that 24 hour daily period is a major topic of interest to each and every department across the country and world. Traditional eight hour shifts of the past have given way to the “compressed work week” schedules of modern day. Where officers once worked eight hours during their tour of duty more and more organizations are opting for the ten or even 12 hour tour of duty to provide law enforcement services to their communities. These extended hours of work have both benefits and drawbacks as you will see throughout this review. There has been much research done in the area of compressed work week schedules but most I’ve found relates to the advantages and disadvantages of the eight hour shift as opposed to the 12 hour shift. A number of districts within the Illinois State Police operate on the ten hour shift which is considered a compressed work week by definition. In this review I hope to offer evidence which will assist administrators in making an educated decision about changes to current shift duration practices. I feel there are benefits to the 8, 10 and 12 hour shift and likewise there are concerns that should be addressed before implementation of any new scheduling device.
1
Shift work is an inevitable part of the law enforcement community and many other industries worldwide. This 24 hour cycle is staffed many different ways. Some agencies work a traditional 8 hour shift while others opt for a compressed work week utilizing a 10 or even 12 hour work shift. There is a large body of research which evaluates the positive and negative health and psychological effects of the compressed work week on workers.
A
How Will the 12 Hour Shift Positively or Negatively Impact The Illinois State Police?
Literature Review
M/Sgt. Brian Anderson #4752
Illinois State Police
Abstract Police work is a 24 hour a day 365 days a year endeavor. Scheduling officers to cover that 24 hour daily period is a major topic of interest to each and every department across the country and world. Traditional eight hour shifts of the past have given way to the “compressed work week” schedules of modern day. Where officers once worked eight hours during their tour of duty more and more organizations are opting for the ten or even 12 hour tour of duty to provide law enforcement services to their communities. These extended hours of work have both benefits and drawbacks as you will see throughout this review. There has been much research done in the area of compressed work week schedules but most I’ve found relates to the advantages and disadvantages of the eight hour shift as opposed to the 12 hour shift. A number of districts within the Illinois State Police operate on the ten hour shift which is considered a compressed work week by definition. In this review I hope to offer evidence which will assist administrators in making an educated decision about changes to current shift duration practices. I feel there are benefits to the 8, 10 and 12 hour shift and likewise there are concerns that should be addressed before implementation of any new scheduling device.
1
Shift work is an inevitable part of the law enforcement community and many other industries worldwide. This 24 hour cycle is staffed many different ways. Some agencies work a traditional 8 hour shift while others opt for a compressed work week utilizing a 10 or even 12 hour work shift. There is a large body of research which evaluates the positive and negative health and psychological effects of the compressed work week on workers.
A
References: The 12-hour Fixed Shift: Measuring Satisfaction DT Moore, JG Morrow (1987) Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume 15 Issue 2