Worst shift to work

[studentcj]

From what I've heard the best shift to work is the graveyard because that is when most of the crime and action occurs. I however was wondering what is the worst shift to work. Also, how are shifts given out because it would seem that most people would want to be working the graveyard.

[greg6099]

Two answers - Personal Opionion Only.

Graveyard shift would be considered an 'interesting' shift to work. Most criminals, psychos and weirdos are like cockroaches - they come out in the dark!

However... Having done my fair share of shift work, hI make the following comment about my dislike of 'night-work' as it is called in Queensland (Australia).

Around 3.00am, I can actually feel my beard growing throught the skin on my face, my eyes are like sand blasted marbles, I dribble when I nod off as a passenger in the police car, I eat too much MacDonalds, I drink too much coffee, I can't string a coherant sentence together after 4.00am, I feel like a vampire when the sun rises over the horizon, I don't get enough sleep - Apart from that I enjoy night-work.

Worst shift for me has to be day shift - boring - mundane - routine - predictable - too many bosses - catch up on your paperwork time blah blah blah...

[greg6099]

Two answers - Personal Opionion Only.

Graveyard shift would be considered an 'interesting' shift to work. Most criminals, psychos and weirdos are like cockroaches - they come out in the dark!

However... Having done my fair share of shift work, I make the following comment about my dislike of 'night-work' as it is called in Queensland (Australia).

Around 3.00am, I can actually feel my beard growing throught the skin on my face, my eyes are like sand blasted marbles, I dribble when I nod off as a passenger in the police car, I eat too much MacDonalds, I drink too much coffee, I can't string a coherant sentence together after 4.00am, I feel like a vampire when the sun rises over the horizon, I don't get enough sleep - Apart from that I enjoy night-work.

Worst shift for me has to be day shift - boring - mundane - routine - predictable - too many bosses - catch up on your paperwork time blah blah blah...

Australian police have 'equity on the roster'. In other words we al work equitable day, afternoon and night shifts. Covered in our Enterprise Bargaining Agreement and Award (Union stuff).

[Lfpdlieu302]

most of the "good" calls do happen at night. but , like mentioned above it takes some real getting used to. if you're a night owl anyway, t hen its no big deal. as far as the worst shift to work, that depends on the person. some people dont like to work days because thats when the "brass" is usually out. i personally have a lot of choices about when i work, though i mainly work days for the convience(sp). a lot of departments will give shifts based on seniority. so the new guy will get graveyard most of the time.

[Stump]

It is all a personal preference. When I first started, I wanted to work our 3rd platoon (4 PM - midnight). Once I got on it, I realized I didn't have much of a life outside work. It is busy when I first got there, slows down, then starts to pick up again right before going home.
On midnights (I work them) it is slammed as soon as you walk in the door, and then slows down around 0400, then picks up again at 0630. A lot of times, there are some really interesting things that happen on that shift.
Days is steady, but boring reports.

[Sgt. Pepper]

Sunday morning shifts are the slowest for me.

[mcsap]

The worst shift to work is what I had to work when I started.


2 days, 2 seconds, 2 thirds than either 2 or 3 days off.

Currently, I work 2 weeks of days, 2 weeks of seconds and 2 weeks of thirds.

Not a whole lot better but it's part of the job.

[vadep]

My opinion? Days. I'd consider another career choice before going to day work. Too many admin types out, too many BS calls, too much traffic, and way to many reports. Working at night allows me to be generally more proactive vice reactive.

[rdp]

Days is the weenie shift. The primary concern is where to eat at for lunch and can we hurry and get to Starbucks.

The trash in the front yard and COP lame calls are the worst on days.

The brass is everywhere and the radio traffic has to be more professional.

And one of the biggest factors, traffic SUCKS!!

[Oldbillplod]

For me it has to be lates 1400-0000, too many domestics and people that have the IQ of a daffodil and have to phone the police as they have destroyed their one and only brain cell on drink or drugs.

[Officer Vader]

Well I am getting off Last Out (12A-8A) and starting swing shift in about a few days. Last out is what it is. If you want to see 'regular' people then it's not for you. Last out isn't for eveyone who has children either. You think you can see your children but it's really not true. When my son is home I'm at work. When I am home my son is in school or when he does get home I'm usually sleeping and getting ready for my shift. It's very hard to get used to as well. But the good thing about Last Out is the club scene. Oh man, when you do a car stop and you see those ladies inside looking yummy. It's hard to take that away. Also, you get more DUI arrest during last out as well. Court Time baby!!

The swing shift is completely different. School kids, auto accidents, and worst yet the Brass is always around. One word 'yuk' but I get to see my son more though and that's what matters to me most importantly.

[MUGGSY09]

I THINK THE WORST SHIFT TO WORK IS DAY SHIFT. MORE SO WHERE I WORK CAMPUS POLICE AT A COLLEGE BECAUSE ALL THE BIG WIGS ARE AROUND. ALWAYS WATCHING AND ANALIZING WHAT U DO. THEY ARE JUST A PAIN IN THE A##.:row:

[Lawson]

When I do ridealongs Ive found our "Power" shift to be the best, 7pm-3am. You get on when it is busy and you get off when it begins to die down some.

[Stump]

Vader, since I work the midnight shift (0-8), I have my choice of when I want to sleep. I can sleep as soon as I get home, so I am sleeping while all the "normal people" are at work, and I can be up and ready to do stuff by 5 PM or whenever. OR, if I have stuff to do, its best for me to do it in the AM - the malls are empty, the grocery store is empty, and the doctor hasn't started running behind on patients. I love it!
The worst thing about it is the court time, and jury duty summons. I haven't gotten called for jury duty in about 10 years, but they really screw you over at work on that one.

[EXCOP2000]

For what happens at work (as far as interesting calls and stories) graveyard. The bad thing for me about graveyard was that it finally took its toll on my sleep schedule and this is the case for many people. 2nd shift you get lots of action/work and you get normal sleep at night but most of your day and night is shot and you usually just work and sleep and then its "time to make the donuts" again and you meet yourself at the door. I call it the "treadmill" because it seems like your always running on it and you can never get off of work. I am surprised so many on the board slammed the day shift. I would have loved to just work days but you do have to get to roll call early. The brass being out wouldn't bother me unless they were the kind that just followed you around everywhere and were looking to find something wrong with how you were doing your job.