Pensacola Police Save On Gas

By Debbie Williams Reporter

The pain at the pump is being felt by the Pensacola Police Department. Pensacola Police Save On Gas

Published: Fri, June 20, 2008 - 2:49 pm Last Updated: Wed, August 13, 2008 - 4:04 pm

Debbie Williams

High oil prices are causing fuel prices to climb and that's making everyone take a look at how much it costs to get around, including police departments.
Pensacola Police are about to start a new schedule fueled by the high cost of driving.
The majority of patrol officers will spend most of theit shift in a patrol car. "It's your office, most people go to work and sit at their desk we start at work and at our desk non-stop," says Officer Alex Fox.
Their desk has four wheels and is fueled by gasoline. "That seems to be the problem," says Fox. But the Pensacola Police Department believes they may have a solution according to Assistant Police Chief, Chip Simmons. "We felt if we went to a 12 hour shift we could save money on trips to and from work. They work 51 less days on a 12 hour shift than they do on the current nine hour shift. It also enables us to put more officers on the street."
The department budgets almost half a million dollars a year for fuel. They've already had to ask for extra cash and still by the end of the year the budget could be tight.
Reaction to the changes are mixed according to Simmons. "Some love it and are really looking forward to it. Some officers don't necessarily like it but I think the vast majority of the officers are willing to give it a try, take a look at it and evaluate it as it goes."
Longer days and shorter work weeks are expected to help. More changes could be coming but that will depend on what happens next at the gas pump.
The schedule changes are expected to save the department about 40 thousand dollars a year. They will begin taking effect, later this month.