Work Schedule/Hours as a CO vs. PO

[TheFlash37]

I've read many times on this board that the hours as a corrections officer are better than the hours as a police officer. To me this doesn't make much sense since both are 24/7 and 365. Could anyone please xplain what people mean when they say this? Is it because of the court appearences on off days?

Thanks!

[DOP]

I've read many times on this board that the hours as a corrections officer are better than the hours as a police officer. To me this doesn't make much sense since both are 24/7 and 365. Could anyone please xplain what people mean when they say this? Is it because of the court appearences on off days?

Thanks!

Schedules would vary from agency to agency...not sure that's a valid argument for either side...

[gqevil1]

Correction does have better hours when you first start.The reason why is because inmates are awake during the day.when you have seniority then you get the over night shift witch is the best.All inmates are sleeping and you dont have to deal with them.Police have rookies in the streets over night because thats when most crimes happen.

[Bowles]

When I was a police officer my scheduled hours were from 8pm - 4am. Many times I'd wind up working a accident or other call that kept me at work past 4am, or I'd be called out during my off hours. If I'd made an arrest that night I'd have to be at the court house for an arraignment hearing at 9am that same morning. I had court appearances that were scheduled with no concern for my day off or vacation time. It was common practice back then not to make any arrest you didn't absolutely have too a few weeks prior to starting vacation. I received no overtime pay, instead I was given comp time. The powers that be said I had to take my comp time the same week I earned it or loose it. Basically I was working 60-80 hours a week at 40 hours pay as it was next to impossible to take the time off under their rules.
This was in the late 80's thru early 90's I'm sure things have improved some since then.

As a correctional officer I work 5:45 am - 6:00pm. on a rotating two week schedule. While I do make court appearances they are rare and I'm given equal time off for hours at court.

[Arkansas Red]

Where I work your assignment will dictate your schedule. My particular assignment gives me five days (well night shifts) that are 10:45 to 7. Where as my Patrol counterparts work a 10 hour shift (they overlap 2 hours).

The only hard parts about my nights are commissary.

[Bill]

In NJ, P/O'S definately have better work schedules. The jails are mainly 5on 2off. PD schedules vary a little but I'll give you some examples.
4on 4off (very common)
5on 5off
3on 3off
3on 2off 2on 3off (every other Fri, Sat, Sun off)
5on 3off

We still have a few dept's that aren't with the times that work 4on 2off or 5 on 2off but not many left.

[DaytonaBeachCO]

It has nothing to do with Police v.s. Corrections. It all varies by Dept. Whether your a Police Dept or a Corrections Dept doesn't matter. Every agency has their own hours/schedules/vacation policies. To compare "who has better schedule/hours P.O vs. C.O. is retarded.

[Bowles]

It has nothing to do with Police v.s. Corrections. It all varies by Dept. Whether your a Police Dept or a Corrections Dept doesn't matter. Every agency has their own hours/schedules/vacation policies. To compare "who has better schedule/hours P.O vs. C.O. is retarded.


I think its a fair question if someone is considering a career as a police or corrections officer. Without a doubt I worked at least double the hours as a police officer than as a correctional officer. When I considered returning to law enforcement it played a huge part in me finally deciding on corrections over the P.D.

[AZCO]

Some of our prisons are on 12 hour shifts. I work Lewis Complex, so I have 4 on 4 off/ 3on 3 off 6a-6p. I like it but some other COs hate it.

[SHU]

Both jobs have bad hours. You are going to have to work 16 hour days, holidays and all kinds of crap like that. If anyone tells you different they are crazy. After you have been otj on either one of these jobs their often opportunities for you to get cushy regular hours ie: weekends and holidays off but it will be a while before that. Don't go into this type of work if you and your family are not cool with this. Currently my girlfriend is ****ed at me because I can't get good off days for christmas week. It the same old crap every year with her. I love her but if she can't be more understanding of my job and its demands it will probably end up killing our relationship.
Good luck

[California C.O.]

12 plan here, only work 14 days a month.

[cccsgt]

12 plan here, only work 14 days a month.
BOOO!!! HISSSS!!!

[DaytonaBeachCO]

12 plan here, only work 14 days a month.
Same here, good post SHU. Very true

[thirdgod]

Most likely, you'll have a lot less court OT on your days off as a C/O than you would as a cop. Other than that, the stuff can hit the fan as easily on the yard as on the street which can hold you over.

[TrainingDay_KY]

In KY we work 5 on and 2 off. There are a few officers left that get the 4 days on, 3 days off deal, but most facilities have eliminated that. Work schedule is definitely not a plus for Corrections. The one plus is lots of vacation time. I'm not sure what Police Officer schedules are like.