1. Restructuring the Police Department
The Detroit News/The Detroit Free Press
Tequila Lamar
October 8, 2008

2. The Problem
Harper Woods, MI has lost $600,000 – $700,000 from State Revenue-Sharing funds
Need to decrease the expense of overtime in the police department
Need more police officers on the streets
Need more firefighters to response to emergencies

3. The Proposal To implement 24-hour shifts of patrol officers
Overtime cost down by $150,000
Put more police officers on the streets without hiring more
Cross-train police officers to perform firefighter duties
Save $100,000 a year (equals 6 emergency positions)

4. Expected Outcome Price to patrol goes down
Quantity of officers on streets goes up
Doing more with less
Citizens not being charged for high level of services
Cost P1 P2 Q1 Q2
Police Services

5. Possible problems Cranky cops making bad decisions
Is it worth saving $150,000 a year
Sleepy Cops on the road
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has 11 hour driving limit for truck drivers (washingtonpost.com)
No downtime
Officers may decide to quit
Officers not as specialized as full time fire fighters

6. Questions and Comments