Is it possible for police departments to get their arms around overtime spending? Absolutely. Despite facing record-high costs, the Baltimore Police Department has made some headway in this area.
In fiscal year 2015, the department spent $33 million on overtime, down from the $38 million projected. This is the result of a brand new patrol schedule that allows for more flexible staffing. With this approach, the department is in a better position to close the gaps left by a high rate of turnover and retirements.
Police departments require proper planning to avoid spending too much on overtime. Workforce management software that includes flexible scheduling and full time equivalence tools can provide the insights necessary for better planning of staffing levels.
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