The Tribune

FOX Hill MP Fred Mitchell was not always a fan of 12-hour shifts for police officers - according to newspaper columns attributed to him and sent to The Tribune yesterday.

On Tuesday, Mr Mitchell declared his support for the government’s crackdown on crime, of which the 12-hour shift is an integral part.

However, according to a column from 1998 sent to The Tribune and attributed to Mr Mitchell, the then FNM senator called such long work hours “a slap in the face” to the Police Staff Association.

“The 12-hour shift takes men away from their families. Many of the children of police officers are ending up in trouble because their fathers are not around the home. Further, the 12-hour shift causes fatigue, mistakes, more police brutality as people try to cope with fatigue and the pressure,” it says.

“It is simple old fashioned policing which is counter productive.”

Another column says: “The abuse of these officers has gone on too long.”

The article comments on the end of the 12-hour shift for all but police detectives.

It asks whether the time has come for legislation to “force consultation in the management of the force.”

“The 12 hour shift was implemented without consultation with the Police Association.

“It is a dreadful life for a CID officer who has to work all through the night and then without even having time to take a shower, show up for court the next day... Sometimes he has to do this on his scheduled day off. The abuse of these officers has gone on too long. It is a management problem which must be fixed in consultation with the Police Association. No more edicts from on high.”

On Tuesday, the Fox Hill MP said in a statement he and his constituents fully support the government’s new crime fighting plan, which also includes 150 Defence Force officers deployed to execute “sedentary and other duties normally carried out”.

Mr Mitchell said this week: “It is an axiom of faith that the tail does not wag the dog and it is high time that the criminal minority in this country be told where to get off at and be put in its place. I know that my constituents fully support the fight against crime and the measures of putting more boots on the ground. We in Fox Hill urge all people of goodwill to work with the authorities to bring calm to our society and ensure that law and order are maintained.

“The Commissioner of Police and the men and women of that force have my full support and I am certain the people of Fox Hill as well.

“The labour laws of the country ought to apply to the police, except in times of national emergency which have to be declared such times by Parliament. Police ought to have the same rights as other workers.”