Report
The Shift Length Experiment: What We Know about 8-, 10-, and 12-Hour Shifts in Policing
Publication Date
November 2011
Author(s)
Karen L. Amendola, David Weisburd, Edwin E. Hamilton, Greg J. Jones, and Meghan G. Slipka
Abstract
This report details the experimental study of 8-, 10-, and 12-hour shifts conducted in the Arlington (TX) and Detroit (MI) Police Departments. The findings suggest that officers on 10-hour schedules worked the least amount of overtime, got significantly more sleep (about 170 additional hours per year), and the agencies paid out the least amount of overtime for those on 10-hour shifts. Compressed schedules of 12 hours were not associated with differences in our outcomes, other than officers’ reports of lowered alertness on the job and increased sleepiness. Agencies should use caution in implementing such schedules.
Media Mentions
https://www.policechiefmagazine.org/research-in-brief-which-shift-is-best/
https://www.policechiefmagazine.org/schedule-matters/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoOdH8OpS1w&list=PLpIlUxHJ-xbqzPm6DXOkXkn08onGoPnws&index=4
https://cops.usdoj.gov/html/podcasts/the_beat/01-2013/TheBeat_012013_Karen_Amendola.mp3
https://www.governing.com/archive/gov-police-officers-overworked-cops.html
Research Design
Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
Research Methods
Literature review, Surveys, Field-based experiment, Computer simulations, Health monitoring & biometrics, Lab-based experiment
Recommended Citation
Amendola, K. L., Weisburd, D., Hamilton, E. E., Jones, G., & Slipka, M. (2011). The shift length experiment: What we know about 8-, 10-, and 12-hour shifts in policing. Washington, D.C.: Police Foundation. https://www.policefoundation.org/publication/shift-length-experiment/
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Contact
For general inquiries, please contact us at info@policefoundation.org
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Strategic Priority Area(s)
Topic Area(s)
Contact
For general inquiries, please contact us at info@policefoundation.org
Share