Phoenix Police Test Extended Shifts

Starting Monday, Phoenix Police officers will begin testing extended shifts for its officers, the department has announced.

Under a six-month pilot program, officers from the Cactus Park Precinct will work three days of shifts of 13 hours and 20 minutes followed by four days off.

"The department's goal is to explore the concept and effects of these extended shifts without hindering the quality of service provided to our citizens and, at the same time, remaining within current budget constraints," according to an agency press release.

The test program will be completed under a contract agreement between the Police Law Enforcement Association and the city of Phoenix.

Volunteer officers from the Cactus Park Precinct will be monitored throughout the trial period by an independent research team of professionals from Midwestern University to determine the physical and psychological effect of these work hours.

Volunteer officers from the Mountain View Precinct, who will remain on a schedule of four days of 10-hour shifts, have been identified as a comparable "control group" to assist in evaluating the program.

The Phoenix Police Department has several concerns about the "13/20"  program, as do the officers involved. Other schedules, such as the five-day, eight-hour shift, are currently being evaluated. There are no permanent shift change plans at this time.