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change jobs...

As I said in the cop forum, 12 hour shifts rule. I don't know that I would have lasted 10 years in this business
if I had to go in 5 or 6 days (or nights) in a row.

you can research all the different kind of flashlights, and different batteries you can use for your rent a cop flashlight dude!

We get an hour for lunch on the days that we actually get lunches (we are a little short handed). We also have to answer the phone while dispatching, so yes, it can be VERY stressful.

LMFAO @ IPCOP...

IPCOP said:

I bet it can get sterssful, dispatching while fighting with the other dispatchers as to who gets the new officer on that shift!!............wow! got ya! juniors my name, busting badge buddies my game!!!!!! oh yeah! one point for the cops!

But honestly, you just get used to sitting for 12 hrs...maaaaybe occasionally a deputy will stop by and we will get to fight over him (not.)

millerbw3398 said:

sitting in a chair for 12 hr in front of a computer. How do you fight sitting for so long?

We are a small sub station, we work 12 hr shifts, also. I work all nights. Some of our dispatchers in the main office swap, 1 month nights, 1 month days. But I prefer nights. We have to answer the phone, run the radio, sell hunting/ fishing license, field any walk in complaints, and take in property tax money. It can get pretty hectic. Then again its a small town, and some nights are very boring.

We usually, work mon, tues, off wed, thurs, work fri, sat, sun. on the second week we work, wed and thurs. and of the rest. It works out pretty good.

The last two weeks tho I've pulled quiet a few extras for those taking off for Christmas, and the ones sick.
I get up and make coffee, wipe down the counters, sweep, fill the paper towels, whatever needs doing, to keep from just sitting all the time. If I'm going to be to far from the radio I put a portable and cordless in my pockets. I also make sure I have a pen and note pad handy, to jot down any call in so I can log all the correct info.

KOZY said:

I walk around in circles... sometimes sitting is better though..lol.. or if your by yourself you can turn on the radio (on low that is) and DANCE...hahaha just kidding, you wouldnt want anyone walking in on you doing that, chances are you won't hear the end of it :p

..... too bad i have 4 other people on my squad lol

KOZY said:

I walk around in circles... sometimes sitting is better though..lol.. or if your by yourself you can turn on the radio (on low that is) and DANCE...hahaha just kidding, you wouldnt want anyone walking in on you doing that, chances are you won't hear the end of it :p

We worked 12s for about a year until our staffing got so low, we could not do it anymore and went back to 8's. When we worked them, yes they were long, but getting most of a 4 day weekend every other week kinda made up for it. We worked either days (7a-7p) or nights (7p-7a). One week you worked Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday (2-12 hr shifts / 2-8 hr shifts) and the following week Tuesday, Friday, Saturday (3-12's) and for 4 hours for one of the days off....those 4 hour slots filled in the opposing shifts 8 hr days. There are times when I miss the 12's because you had those 4 days off, but every you had each of the days off every other week if you belonged to groups that had meetings that would otherwise conflict.

We work platoons and they are all 12hr shifts... plus we have mandatory overtime on top of that! I'm working graveyard now, (1800-0630) and let me tell you, those hours after midnight are KILLER! I think I've just accepted the long shifts as part of the job and I don't mind them as much anymore. I work for a large enough agency that there are a lot of people on my shift to keep company with.

You can try and find things to get done during your shift that may even make the time you actually do get to spend at home more worthwhile... I do my homework, pay bills, balance my checkbook, clip coupons, sometimes I bring in pictures to organize etc.

As far as sitting for so long... DON'T SIT!!! I stand up and raise my console (I think most agencies have them on hydraulics now) so I can dispatch while standing... you can stretch, do small exercises, etc. Then on breaks get out and walk! Not only does it help wake you up a bit if your having a long night (like I frequently do), but you also get some of the exercise that we dispatchers know is hard to come by! :)

well if you working the night shift and is ssslllllllloooooooooowwwwww and you have a tv..... guitar hero is the way to go. rock out on the guitar, jump off of the filing cabinets(not that i have tried it or anything) and just have some fun. but standing up and walking around is one of my big things to do.

well here we were on 4- 10 with some occasionall overtime of 12 hr shifts and found that at the end of my friday i am beat. we just recently have moved to 5- 8 and its totally crazy. also i found that something to keep you awake and some exercise in an excercise ball and a workout video also too we have the consoles that can move up and down and i spend have the shift on a ball and the other half standing up walking in place or doing step ups. i think it helps with a lot of things.. suggestion to try and see how it works for you

as for romeo194- i feel your pain i just got doing 14 days last week and its sucks.. i think even more when you have kids and no babysitter by the time your day off comes all you want to do is catch up on some sleep and pinch yourself to make sure you are still capable of feeling and not totally numb from the craziness...

We're not quite into the 21st Century yet -- we still work 8's!! Have been trying to propose 12hr schedule but it keeps getting shot down... We'll keep trying though!! Our agency is small and so is our comm center but we're not chained to the chairs and are permitted to step out of the room if needed... I would love 12's and will keep on keeping on as far as requesting the change... squeeky wheel kinda thing, hehe