Raindogblue

After A Month Away

 

After a month assigned to their primary function, the traffic officers have been folded back into patrol. 

 

 

Predictable

 

It's Thursday. My sergeant told the other shift sergeants, I'd use force tonight. He is a smart man. He can spot a pattern. I did not disappoint. 

 

 

Staffing: May 30th to June 5th

 

 

From May 30th to June 5th, West’s Afternoon shift was 70 percent of minimum capacity before OT. With OT, we’re at 87 percent. That means on average we are running 13 percent below minimums.

It is large improvement from the previous week, but  this is during vacation black-out days.

 

 

 

 

 

West Afternoons Staffing: 5/22-5/29

From May 22nd to May 29th, West's Afternoon shift was 55 percent of minimum capacity before OT. With OT, we’re at 70 percent. That means on average we are running 30 percent below minimums.

 

 

Robbing Peter. Paying Paul.

 

One the reasons patrol is short on staffing is that the traffic officers folded back into patrol are now back in their in Division, working on traffic enforcement, DUIIs, and fatal collisions.

 

 

Now Bookable

 

Per jail, law enforcement can now book for:

any A, B,  and C felonies,

Class C person misdemeanors (Menacing, Assault in the 4th Degree and Strangulation),

Reckless Burning,

Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree,

Unlawful Possession of a Firearm,

Carrying a Concealed Weapon,

Pointing a Firearm at Another,

Negligently Wounding Another,

Unlawfully Purchasing a Firearm,

DUII,

Reckless Driving.

 

 

The Math

 

 

So I was doing the math. For West Afternoons, without overtime, the shift is at 68.5% capacity of minimums for the week of 5/15 to 5/21. With overtime, the shift is at 83 % capacity.  17 percent of shift hours are unfilled.

 

 

Basic Cooperation

 

Sir, I see you wind shield has been smashed in and I understand the suspect is around the corner,  but if you refuse to give me your basic information, I cannot write a police report, let alone make an arrest so you can press charges. 

 

 

Overtime Staffing 5/15-5/21

Overtime hours filled to attempt to make minimums:

West Precinct

451 hours

East Precinct

532 hours

North Precinct

591 hours

 

OT Slots Unfilled:

West

590 hours

East

557 hours

North

259 hours

 

Department Total

Overtime filled:

1574 hours

OT Slots Unfilled:

1406 hours

How the Department Works

 

 

In the locker room, after their shift, I heard the Day shift officers explaining how their shift would not function unless officers like Hands, Midnight Man, and Snake Charmer constantly worked overtime.