La Crosse, city agreeing on 12-hour shifts for police

Change would increase police presence 11,000 hours a year

At this point, it’s just a tentative agreement the city of La Crosse has hammered out with its police union. The two sides are working towards moving police to 12-hour shifts.

La Crosse assistant police chief Rob Abraham says three shifts now would be split into two, one starting at 6 a.m., the next, 12 hours later. Abraham says the change would mean several more officers on the street at any one time without the city having to hire, train or provide benefits for extra personnel.

Each officer would work an extra 130 hours per year, resulting in a combined increased police presence on the street of over 11,000 hours.

The union and the council both have to vote on a final agreement.