POLICE GO TO 12 HOUR SHIFTS

Mar 5th, 2003

Mobile Police Officers will begin working 12-hour shifts on April 5, 2003 if the Mobile County Personnel Board approves the change.

The shift change will result in more hours on the street, will cost the city about $200,000 extra annually to implement, but Mayor Mike Dow says the money is available. Dow says in the long run the change will save money because it effectively amounts to having ten additional officers working without having to hire more personnel.

The move is also looked at as a morale booster for officers who patrol Mobile's streets. Members of the Department came to the Mayor with their idea, worked out the details and are excited about the change.

Chief Sam Cochran says the 12-hour shifts will give the department more man hours on the streets. There will be fewer shift changes and that means officers will be deployed quicker to their beats, and stay longer in the area of their responsibility.