As an administrator my job was to minimize overtime by my officers. As you so accurately stated, police work is event driven. Years ago, we were required to complete all reports before we went home even if it meant overtime. For the last 10 years this overtime is triaged into cases that need completion now, and those that can wait until you come back. The down side is that sometimes people have to wait an extra day or two for a report but the long run is that is saves money.
Fire Departments are a whole different critter. They have nothing but time after the first 2 hours of their 24 hour shift. The most rabid union people I know are firefighters. I am certified firefighter I and II since I was a public safety director. I have profound respect for volunteer part paid fire fighters. 78% of fire fighters are volunteer part paid. When I really want to ‘p’ off firefighters I mention that they could become part time or volunteer if they really cared about their community.
The current trend is to look at multiple shifts during which fire fighters stay awake instead of sleeping. The down side is you may need more fire fighters to staff. For example, if you need 3 trucks with 3 firefighters 7 days a week, you would at a minimum need 27 under the 24 hours shift. Going to 12’s, may require you to have 36 fire fighters (9x4 since there are 4 sets of 12 hour shifts in a week).
I went a little off track but it is some points to ponder. Many of us in public safety administration understand what is going on. The rank and file generally do not. I think they are learning, though.
>As an administrator my job was to minimize overtime by my officers. As you so accurately stated, police work is event driven. Years ago, we were required to complete all reports before we went home even if it meant overtime.<
We were required to finish paperwork as well, or at least have a preliminary report ready for immediate access. But overtime for such things was NEVER granted. When I was new to the job for the first two years or so, I was coming in two hours early or staying two hours after for paperwork. My own time. Hey that’s what is expected, that is what you do right?