TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Mark Danaj, City Manager
FROM:
Cathy Hanson, Human Resources Director
SUBJECT:Title
Side Letter Agreement with the Manhattan Beach Police Officers Association (POA) Implementing the 3/12.5 + 10 Work Schedule for Patrol (Human Resources Director Hanson).
APPROVE
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Recommended Action
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that City Council approve the Side Letter Agreement between the Manhattan Beach Police Officers Association (POA) and the City of Manhattan Beach (City) implementing the 3/12.5 + 10 work schedule for patrol.
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FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no fiscal implications with this side letter agreement.
BACKGROUND:
The City and the POA entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) beginning on January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2015. As part of the MOU the City agreed to implement a 3/12.5 + 10 work schedule on a trial basis for Officers assigned to patrol (this schedule involves officers working 3-12.5 hour shifts 3-days per week with one additional 10 hour shift within a 28 day payroll cycle). This schedule was implemented on a one year trial basis beginning March 23, 2013.
The initial trial period was scheduled to end on March 22, 2014. However, the City and the POA met and conferred on December 17, 2013, and agreed to extend the trial period until September 19, 2014, in order for the Police Chief to fully evaluate the impact of this schedule. This agreement was accomplished through a side letter agreement dated March 5, 2014.
DISCUSSION:
The City implemented the 3/12.5 + 10 work schedule for POA unit members assigned to Patrol on March 23, 2013 and extended the trial period for this schedule until September 19, 2014. Police Management and the POA have evaluated the impact of this schedule on the respective parties, and Police Management is recommending implementation of the 3/12.5 + 10 schedule for POA unit members assigned to Patrol.
Throughout the duration of the trial period, police management monitored several performance indicators to determine the success of the 3/12.5 schedule. Results were very positive: response times to emergency calls were down, foot beats were up, field interview contacts were up, and overall Part One crimes were down.
Indicators which were initially concerning were increases to patrol overtime and increases in traffic collisions. Patrol overtime is up minimally, primarily due to an increase to minimum staffing on weekends and the need to fill a full 12.5 hour shift when an officer is on sick, vacation leave or at training (rather than a 10 hour shift). The increase in traffic collisions was also initially very concerning; however, review of the incidents indicated no correlation with fatigue or working long shift hours. The increase was due to change in equipment (SUV patrol vehicle, from a sedan). This is being managed with additional training.
Positive factors of the 3/12.5 include increased staffing on weekends when volume of calls for service are higher and additional opportunities to deploy specialty teams such as the Crime Impact Team, Beach Patrol Team, Downtown Foot Beat Patrols, and Bike Patrol Team.
The schedule has also shown to be a positive recruitment tool and has been positive for patrol officer morale. A survey of the Police Officers Association membership indicated that all who worked the 3/12.5 schedule were supportive of the schedule.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends that City Council approve the Side Letter Agreement between the City of Manhattan Beach and the POA.
Attachment:
1. Draft Side Letter Agreement (approved as to form by attorney separately)