Northvale officers to switch to healthier schedule

  • 2016-01-27
The Northvale Police Department is changing its scheduling to what Chief William Essmann calls a “healthier alternative.”

Police officers will now work two twelve-hour shifts rather than three eight-hour shifts. The new schedule went into effect January 1 and makes it possible to provide an increased police presence during peak times.

The previous schedule called for officers to work shifts of 7:00 am to 3:00 pm, 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm, and 11:00 pm to 7:00 am, which Essmann said is “hard on the body”.

The new format allows officers to work 36 hours in one week, and 48 hours the following week, both in twelve-hour shifts. This allows them to have more days off during the 28-day cycle, but does not diminish the police presence when it is needed.

Other communities, including Norwood, Closter, and Harrington Park, have already gone to this format, and Essmann said he is looking forward to seeing how it works for Northvale. The new schedule is a test, and will be evaluated at the end of 2016 to see how well it has worked. The idea for changing the work hours came from the officers themselves, and then won approval from the city council.

Police officials might want to work with a postcard printing company on a card for residents to inform them of the change, and assure them their protection will be enhanced.