L.A. Police Experiment With 3-Day Workweek

Patrol officers from four Los Angeles police divisions began their first three-day, 12-hour workweek Sunday as part of an experiment that officials hope will boost morale and decrease burnout.

The new schedule--unlike the usual five-day, eight-hour-a-day week--will cut department costs, decrease commuting hours, allow officers more time with their families and, they hope, curb burnout.

“It’s a morale booster. . . . It makes for happier employees, which makes for better service,” said LAPD Capt. Richard Eide of the Van Nuys Division.

Under the yearlong program, patrol officers at the Van Nuys, Rampart, Wilshire and Harbor divisions will work the new shifts, while detectives work a new schedule of four 10-hour days. If the program succeeds, officials say, the compressed schedule will be implemented throughout the department.

A committee appointed by Police Chief Willie L. Williams studied other police departments that use the three-day shift and found that fewer officers have resigned since they began working the new schedule.

At the Van Nuys Division on Sunday, there were a few skeptics--and an occasional yawn and stretch at 6 a.m. roll-call--but most officers were enthusiastic about the shift, welcoming the four days off.

“I think it’ll work. It’ll be better for the family . . . more time for personal things,” said Officer Ron Stilz.

But some officers have expressed worry about the fatigue such a lengthy shift could cause. “I’m keeping an open mind, but I don’t know,” said Officer Martin Whitfield. “Three 12-hour shifts is no walk in the park.”

Whitfield also noted that the program will decrease the amount of overtime officers are able to get. “Overtime is good for officers. They’ve taken that away,” he said.

The shift has cut back on overtime in other departments, said Eide. “After 12 hours I want (officers) to finish and go home.”

Deputy Chief Martin Pomeroy, chairman of the committee that designed the 3-12 plan, said it will be at least three months before the department can begin measuring the success of the program through crime rates, response times and morale. “Don’t judge the 3-12 plan on how you feel at the end of your shift today,” he told officers.