Up to now the department has had an eight-hour shift rotation that switched from week to week. Under the new system, most officers will work a fixed set of 12-hour shifts every week. A few will work 10-hour shifts.
Rockville Centre Police Benevolence Association President Frank Marino praised the new system, saying that having a fixed schedule will improve officer morale and reduce sick time. He doesn't believe that the longer hours will make officers less efficient at the end of a shift.
In fact, he believes the new system will help reduce crime, because the set schedules offer consistency to patrol efforts. The officers will be able to regularly cover the same areas at the same time of day.
Marino said he appreciates the village's support for the change and added that he was interested in modernizing the department.
Commissioner Jack McKeon also described what he sees as the benefits of the new program. He said the change makes "solid business sense" because officers agreed in their contract to work an additional four days per year.
"I actually have more people on the streets when I need them," he said. "All in all, I feel it's a winner for the village."
Mayor Eugene Murray also praised the change. "The new system will enhance our already quick response time, will reduce overtime expenses, and will add flexibility to our training programs," he said during his State of the Village address. "We are aiming to have the best-trained small department in the state."
