Anaheim Police Adopt Three-Day Workweek : Manpower: Officers approve 12-hour shifts, making the city the largest force in the county to adopt such a plan. It would increase police presence on the streets.

Police officers Thursday overwhelmingly approved a plan that would put them on the streets 12 hours a day, three days a week in an attempt to increase police presence during high-crime periods in the city.

Anaheim Police Officers Assn. President Joe Bryan said union members warmed to the prospect of four-day weekends in approving the plan by a vote of 256 to 41, making Anaheim the largest municipal force in the county to adopt the new schedule.

“For some patrol officers, a 12-hour shift would almost be a break,” said Sgt. Craig Hunter, who helped research the department plan. “Knowing that they are going to get four days off, really helps. The officers are crazy about it.”

The department’s enthusiasm was reflected in its 92% voter participation, believed to be the largest turnout ever for a rank-and-file referendum. The three days of voting that ended at midnight Wednesday.

City Manager James Ruth said the change could be implemented as early as April.

Although initially concerned about the longer working days and possible fatigue among officers, Ruth said the department and city determined that the extra days off would provide adequate recovery time.

“These people take a lot of crap from the public,” Ruth said. “The days off will give them time to relax. Some of them may have time to go back to school and enhance their educations. It’s a win-win situation for both sides.”

The proposal had been under study for the past four months as budget shortfalls have restricted the hiring of additional officers. City officials studied departments in other cities that have adopted similar three-day weeks, including some of the five in Orange County--La Palma, Laguna Beach, Los Alamitos, San Clemente and Seal Beach--where officers are working three-day weeks.

Under the proposal, officers would essentially be working 36-hour weeks, but Ruth said each officer would be paid for a 40-hour week and would contribute four hours each week to a department-controlled bank of time. The bank could be used to activate officers for additional duty when there is a need.

A majority of the county’s police departments have in recent years gone to a four-day workweek, with officers on the streets for 10 hours a day, officials said. Anaheim currently operates nine-hour shifts, giving officers an extra day off in alternating weeks.

Officers in larger departments, such as Santa Ana, Orange and Newport Beach along with the California Highway Patrol and Orange County Sheriff’s Department generally work an eight- or nine-hour workday with minor scheduling deviations.

Irvine Police Lt. Bob Lennert said his department, which schedules officers on 10-hour shifts, considered switching to three 12-hour days but rejected it because of concerns about fatigue.

“It is the most efficient,” Lennert said. “You get the maximum out of your manpower. But the question comes up about how good it is . . . because of the fatigue factor.”

Other law enforcement officials expressed similar reservations about the plan.

“I think it’s going to make them real tired,” said Lt. Art Romo of the Orange Police Department, whose officers work nine-hour days on alternating schedules of five- and four-day workweeks.

In departments already employing the plan, however, officials report that their officers are happier, enjoy the time off and take fewer sick and vacation days.

“The officers really love it,” Laguna Beach Deputy Chief Jim Spreine said.