Adjust cop shift changes

FOR A few years now, the crime-weary community has complained about the availability of the police to attend to crime calls during shift changes. This was again highlighted this week when a resident in Muizenberg called CapeTalk Radio and complained that when the police were contacted, the response was they were busy with a shift change.

The shift change is at 6am and 6pm when two 12-hour shift members pass on all duties. The first shift coming on duty is called the “duty on parade” and after this, the shift “going off duty ” has their parade.

These parades are vital in disciplined police procedures as this is where the shift commanders check members are fit, fully clothed, fully resourced, sober and posted to their satisfaction. All notices are also dealt with on this parade. While the shift commanders are busy with the on and off duty parades in the community service centre, the handing over of vital resources is also taking place in the old charge office. This disciplined procedure is only valid and complete after signatures are placed on the handing over and the receiving certificates in the occurrence book.

If an emergency call is received during the time these procedures are taking place, the response would be that the police are busy with handing over.

This is a critical time period, which has not been addressed.

We must be aware criminals may, with this knowledge, which is no secret, commit a crime in that changing-over period. Allegations and counter-allegations are then made which does not help the problem.

As a retired police officer, I know about the procedures, the challenges and the complaints from the public. This is the year of service delivery, which means providing the best service in a professional manner.

Why can’t some of the detectives at the station come on duty from 11am till 7pm? Why can’t the office police staff come on duty on a rotating basis at 5am or 11am? The sector managers can do the same.

Why must the old 8am to 4pm office hours be maintained when the suggested time frames can cover the shift change by the detectives, police office staff and the sector managers? This can also be done over weekends.

This flexible time change will cut out that chronic complaint the police are busy with shift changes.

We are all aware of job descriptions, but the times frames concerning police work during the shift changes are a problem. That important space of time is the real bone of contention.

Times have changed and criminals adapt and so must the police.

This new adaptation of shift times will enhance the police service as more attention will be paid to overcoming crime during this vulnerable time.

A flood of compliments will be received if a new time management system is successful.