Parks, Police Union Study Alternatives to 3-Day Week

Los Angeles Police Chief Bernard C. Parks and police union officials have agreed to discuss alternatives to a three-day work schedule popular with rank-and-file officers, but opposed by the new chief, authorities said Wednesday.

As a result of the meetings, one of which was held Wednesday, union officials have canceled a protest over the issue that was scheduled for Friday night outside an LAPD employee reception honoring Parks.

LAPD Cmdr. Bruce Hagerty said the chief and the representatives of the Los Angeles Police Protective League will consider other schedules, including a 10-hour, four-day work week, or a nine-day, 80-hour schedule that would give officers an extra day off every two weeks.

The schedule that allows officers to work three 12-hour days a week “is not on the table,” Hagerty said. Most officers still work five eight-hour days a week, Hagerty added.

League President Dave Hepburn said the union has not abandoned the three-day work schedule, but realizes that it will not be part of the upcoming discussions.

“The department has made its position pretty clear that it’s not an option,” he said.

Hepburn said the meetings are “a good sign. . . . They are willing to talk about compressed work schedules.”

Last week, Parks recommended that the Police Commission abolish a current pilot program at six stations where officers work the so-called three-12 schedule. After a lengthy public hearing during which scores of officers voiced support for the program, commissioners forwarded Parks’ report and recommendation to the city’s Executive Employee Relations Committee for further review.

The three-day work schedule is the most important labor issue facing the department’s 9,500 officers, union officials have said.

Union officials and department top brass disagree over the merits of the plan, such as whether it saves money, cuts down on the number of officers in the field, causes fatigue or is conducive to community policing.

Both sides, however, agreed it is a benefit to the officers.

Two months ago, former Chief Bayan Lewis ruled out any departmentwide use of the three-12 schedule, saying it did not provide a benefit for the city’s residents. Parks agrees with that position.

Deputy Chief David Gascon said the fact that the chief and the union have agreed to discuss the matter is a positive development.

“It’s a demonstration that the chief and Protective League will have the kind of relationship where there will be an honest dialogue on important issues,” he said. “It sets the tone for the future.”