Did the police get into this 12- hour extended shift without a strategic plan to combat crime or without an exit plan? With an increase in numbers, a plan should have been in place to get more persons with criminal charges and cases pending before the courts and off the streets, in addition to flushing out and capturing persons wanted by the police, for major crime offences. This should have been done in conjunction with the courts. Then the force could wean itself off the 12- hour 'call to duty', by allowing officers to rotate between 8 hour and 12 hour work-weeks. As crime continues fall, then all, if not most, officers would be able to go back to regular working hours, the police band and fire branch back to their regular duties and the defense officers back to their regular detail. Under the current plan, more persons are arrested and charged, but with the exception of those that are shot and killed, the number of active criminals out on the streets remain the same.

Plan? What's that?

A good insight because all concerned must know that a 12 hour shift is not only unsustainable, but its perceived effectiveness will undoubtedly diminish over time. In other words this should only be a bridge or short term fix. The 12 hour shift suggests that there is a manpower shortage issue with respect to the RBPF, however, I suspect that even the police Commissioner would admit that manpower shortages is but one of a number of major issues facing those responsible for law and order.

definitely to much<img src="http://tinyurl.com/c7l9ck6" width="1">

i also feel the judicial system should have been placed on 12hours shift along with immigration and customs official to deal with illegal immigrants and persons who bring illegal guns through our ports using cargo to smuggle them in and pay all over time

Feeling abused?"

Yes it sounds odd unless you're in the situation, but when you work for an employer and the employer cares more about results than they seem to care about you, you get that "abused" feeling. Some may characterize as "misused". Read any good book on leadership.

Careful now, how you use "feel abused" and da policeman's in the same sentence. Ain't no one been knocking them upside they's heads. Now, that would really be knowing what's it is really like to be feeling "abused?"

Anyone working 12 hour shifts is going to be tired. I get concerned when we have a tired police force. Not a good plan at all.

Its only been about two months since the 12 hour shifts started. so the fatigue factor should not set in yet, unless we have a really tired and out-of-shape police force. They are military men and women and should be able to go at least six months if necessary. Maybe their biggest concern is how are they going to be COMPENSATED for the extra hours. Maybe that's what have them feeling abused and abandoned. Nevertheless it may be time to put selected officers back on regular duty so that when the holidays come there would be sufficient manpower to do the extra duties that are required and also to keep patrolling at a heightened level. And for the past few years increased crime spilled over into January and criminals. knew police were on heightened alert in December so the waited until January to pull one off.

it seems that there are a whole lot of desk warriors who sit behind their desk and watch a scripted law and order where in an hour the problems of the world are solved by six actors take the time out and read America with all the best of the best has five of the most crime ridden cities in the world read. God rested on the seventh day who is man

God may have rested on the seventh day, but Christ also said :if your ass (not you) fell in a well on the Sabbath not to leave him there until the Sabbath has passed but to rescue him right away. Meaning that if this country has fallen into a crime crises that requires police to work beyond their regular hours, then what is needful is lawful.

well the criminals are resting now all they have to do is wait those in jail are well rested only a matter of time before some of them come out on bail do the the math well rested criminals vs the tired police force the donkey did not have ak47's Christmas around the corner

Do you know that in Mexico and some parts of South America they have to lock civilians in jail for their own safety? These persons joined a gang that originated in those countries when the US decided to deport gang members from LA. Persons joined this gang not knowing how deadly it was or not understanding that once you joined in you could not sign out alive. Now many persons who want to leave the gang have to be locked in jail for their own safety. Those who decide to leave are usually found within 24 hours decapitated or riddled with bullets. The point is this is spiritual warfare. Unless God watches over the city, the policemen watch in vain.

All persons should be treated fairly I agree and this is where equality plays it's role in humanity but it should be look at differently especially when you have sworn in an oath to abide by all the rules & regulations given by Government into being an officer. That rule should be in reference to protecting and making it safer for citizens as well as non citizens which is sacrifices being made by the individual.If am correct am sure all persons who are or have applied has been given a brief summary on the what is a officer's duty.They know that means less time with love ones. It's sad and I know how their family feels but we have to choose wisely when were searching for a profession/career. I give all of my support to all the hard earn working polices out there.Well done!

But is this a good strategy? How much longer will the shifts last? Until the entire police force is bone tired? Are the criminals just laying low? I'm sure they're smart enough to know that even though the heat is on now, they can't keep it going forever. It appears that the majority of our murders are committed by persons out on bail or persons known to the police...get better investigators, get more and better training for police on handling evidence, hire better prosecutors. Maybe the prosecutors should be working extra hours to try cases, maybe our elected officials should be working extra hours on a plan to build a new prison that will not turn out even worse criminals and will rehabilitate the ones that aren't too far gone. No country that I know of maintains a state of heightened alert indefinitely, it cannot be sustained. Get better prosecutors

Money give them plenty rest. They probly just tired of work FOR FREE..the extra 20 hours they aint getting pay til next election