Police propose shift change

The Orland Police Department is proposing changing officer's shifts from four 10-hour days to an optional three days with 12-hour shifts starting later this month.

This recommendation came from the Orland Peace Officers Association and was presented to the City Council this week by Chief Paula Carr.

Implementing the new schedule requires a change in the association's memorandum of understanding, she said. The council approved the request Monday night.

Carr suggested it would benefit both the officers and the city by giving law enforcement personnel a choice of the 10-hour or 12-hour work schedule. Officers also would have an additional eight-hour payback day each work week to fulfill the 80-hour work period, she said.

Carr said the new schedule would reduce overtime expenses and increase training time. It also would improve shift coverage — especially during peak call hours.

The proposal provides for an on-duty supervisor seven days a week during peak call times, she said.

She added it should improve officer morale by letting officers pick their desired shifts on a rotational basis.

Two patrol teams would be created, Carr said. One would have 10-hour shifts during the week and the other would work 12-hour shifts on the weekend.

This schedule works well for the Chico and Willows police departments, she reported.

Orland also will coordinate training days with Chico and Willows for joint-exercises.

Officer Sean Johnson told the council Orland would participate in anti-gang enforcement activities on days when no trainings are set.

"The majority of us are in the office 12 hours to 13 hours a day anyway," Johnson said, so the schedule would not bother most officers.

He added those who work three days a week would get a fourth day off.

Contact Rick Longley at 934-6800 or rlongley@tcnpress.com