Galesburg Police officers could be putting in longer days next year.
A recent agreement between the City of Galesburg and the Public Safety Employees Organization calls for police personnel to work 12-hour shifts, opposed to the current 8-hour shifts. If approved by the Galesburg City Council at its Monday meeting, the new work schedule would start Jan. 1.
The change to 12-hour shifts is a recruitment and retention strategy that will also reduce overtime costs. According to the city council agenda item, application numbers for both entry-level and certified police officers have dropped drastically over the last few years. Officials say the strategy will help the city become an employer of choice for police officers.
Interim City Manager Wayne Carl and Police Chief Russ Idle recommend the City Council approve this addendum to the collective bargaining agreement.
Currently, the police department works under a classic five days on, two days off work cycle during the week. The preferential days off are chosen by order of seniority, so new officers do not have the typical Saturday and Sunday off and will not be able to until deep into their career. The City would utilize what is known as the “Pitman Schedule.” This allows for traditional weekend days off once a month for everyone.
Generational trends are showing that employees place a higher value on work/life balance than in the past. This schedule would allow officers to have an increased work/life balance, with more and better days off.
Benefits of a 12-hour work shift
The new schedule is expected to have the following benefits:
- Improved supervision.
- 5 percent more hours worked at straight time vs overtime, with no additional pension, medical or other benefits. Hours worked will be 2,184 hours per year instead of 2,080. This averages to be about 2.5 additional officers for the City, without having to pay for additional benefits.
- Improved morale, recruitment, and retention.
- Reduction in overtime costs once workforce stabilizes.
- Reduced burnout and fatigue.
- Increased work/life balance.
The city says sufficient funding is available in the proposed 2023 budget. The cost of the 12-hour shifts is expected to be an increase of $171,788 opposed to the current eight 8-hour shifts. This cost includes the additional 5 percent of hours worked, additional on-call pay, and additional personal time hours associated with the change to 12-hour shifts.
