There are known techniques for running a large 3-shift operation effectively. One is that all employee-facing services must be available on all shifts. Yes, this means running 3 shifts in human resources, so someone working 12 to 8 can straighten out their insurance problem. Safety and repair staff must operate on 3 shifts. Food services must be as good late at night as they are during the day. Reasonably high level management has to be present on all shifts.
William Bratton, who headed the NYPD (twice) and the LAPD, was big on this. When he first started running the NYC transit police, he'd get on the subway late at night and ride around, talking to the cops on duty. Once the rank and file got used to seeing the commissioner on the subway, things started to improve.
A useful test for your local police department in a city of any size - find out who's the highest ranking cop on duty at 1 AM on a Saturday morning, peak time for most city PDs. If it's a lot lower rank than who's on during the day, the department is not well managed. Such police departments are derisively called "9 to 5 departments" in the business.
William Bratton, who headed the NYPD (twice) and the LAPD, was big on this. When he first started running the NYC transit police, he'd get on the subway late at night and ride around, talking to the cops on duty. Once the rank and file got used to seeing the commissioner on the subway, things started to improve.
A useful test for your local police department in a city of any size - find out who's the highest ranking cop on duty at 1 AM on a Saturday morning, peak time for most city PDs. If it's a lot lower rank than who's on during the day, the department is not well managed. Such police departments are derisively called "9 to 5 departments" in the business.