Questions about daily routine/schedule?

I just had a few questions regarding the police officer's work day/schedule.

Do they get a fixed lunch break? How long is it usually for?

I've noticed the long hours that cops work-sometimes 5am-5pm, or all night long and so fourth....are you given these hours or can you choose your own?

I've noticed it's difficult for women with children. Would you have to request time off during the day to take care of your children?

Even if they are on duty, are they allowed to stop into a convenience store to get something quick to eat?
Additional Details
Thanks. I'm asking all of these questions to see if this is really a career I want to get into. I want to educate myself before committing into this.

Bobby

Yes they get a fixed lunch time. But sometimes if it's busy you have to break off your lunch, and sometimes you don't get any lunch break at all. Most lunch breaks are 45 min. to an hour.

Hours and shifts are fixed and your days off usually rotate depending on how may days a week you work. Shifts are usually 8,10,or 12 hrs. When you become a senior officer, you get to pick your shift, your lunch break, and your vacation time first.

It can be difficult for families, but police officers can take sick days, personal days, and vacation like anyone else. The longer you are on the job, the more time off you receive.

As long as you are not dispatched to a call, you can stop just about anywhere. If you want to eat early you can. But if you get a call, you have to stop what you are doing and handle the call.

Hope this helped.

Bonnie C

We get 30 minutes lunch, not fixed, but they don't want you to take it too late, want you available for when schools get out and change time, since start/end times overlap.

Most in my city are 8 hour days. My district is on a pilot schedule, 10 hr. days. Days are 6 am to 4 pm, and 7 am to 5 pm. You can bid on shifts, it goes by seniority. I'm about 40 of 200 officers in my district.

There's many parents working, they work it out with babysitters or the other parent.

You can stop anytime you want as long as you're not on a job. You also get a couple 15 minute "personals". I may make 3-5 stops during the day for morning coffee, iced tea later, lunch, etc. I very rarely take any of my personals, usually only if there's something I must get done for myself and I have to make sure I do it, like the post office or something.

I got talked into taking the test by a friend. Have done office work before this. I love the freedom of it and I have great bosses.

Novarobin

Like anything else, it depends on where you are. I have worked in three different departments (one for On the Job training, and two after grad) in two different provinces. None had fixed lunch breaks. You learn to carry it with you or bring a meal replacement bar with you cause you never know when you might get a call and how long it will last. Technically we get 45 minutes, but i can't remember the last time I took on that long.
Shifts will depend on where you work. Here it is 7-7, two days, two nights, four off. As long as you are in patrols, these are the shifts you work, regardless of seniority. I have also worked 4 days, 4 off, 4 nights, 4 off. but there are many variations.
I don't have children so I have never had to try to juggle the schedule.
Yes, you can go in to pick something up to eat. It is pretty flexible here, you can run quick errands as long as your radio is on and you respond to your calls.
Try to find someone where you would like to work and speak with them to know for sure.

Angbblue

Why don't you go to your local police station and ask someone there? I don't see why they would not be glad to help you.

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