Do cops choose what days to work and how many hours they want/?

Question

or do they just give you a schedule and expect you to show up?

Answer 1

I don't know about every department, but at my department, once a year, the patrol officers select their shift and their days off based on  seniority.  We have three shifts per day to cover 24 hours.  Each patrol officer has the same two days off a week.  

Answer 2

HA! I wish!

Seriously though, if you have enough seniority you usually can pick the shift you choose to work but that is it. Most Departments work on a rotational basis like mine where I work 5 days and have 2 off then work 5 days and have 3 off. It's different wherever you go. Very few Departments have things like flex time Monday-Friday with weekends and Holidays off.

Unless you are Command staff or the Chief.    

Answer 3

Ultimately, our employer makes those decisions.

We are often allowed to pick shifts and days off, but that's entirely up to the employer.  

Answer 4

Law Enforcement is not the field to go into if you want to pick your own hours. Even very high ranking police are told when to show up and when they may go home.

Answer 5

Cops do whatever they want. Tell them different and they will brutilize  you.  

Answer 6

it depends on your senority. You cannot change the hours the shifts are already set. Furthermore, if a big incident occurs your obligated to stay there even if you get off in 5 minutes those 5 minutes can turn into 5 hours.