Some people think I'm crazy, but I prefer working nights. I feel like I get more done at night. That's when the bad guys are out and about. I just feel like I'm in my element after dark. Darkness is an advantage for me, just as it is for the criminal element. I can hide in the shadows too.
During the day there's more traffic, more paperwork, more people. It takes forever to get from one end of the city to the other. One advantage of working days is it seems like more people want to fight or resist during daylight. At night, not so much. Yes, I said advantage. Very few things about the job are better than a resisting suspect. One of my academy instructors used to smack his arm, drug addict style, and say "Controlled violence. It's better than heroin!" I now know what he meant. It's almost as good as a pursuit. But that's for another post!
Gotta do days now and then though, to keep the "Chief" at home happy....
If ya know what I mean...
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9 comments:
Same here. I prefer second shift, especially now that it gets dark very early. I use the daylight portion of the shift to get paperwork done then roll out as soon as the sun sets.
I got a call from the assistant chief a few months ago. Since I am the senior road supervisor he thought he should offer it to me first. While appreciated the consideration I still turned him down flat. If I had my druthers, I'll work evening shift until I retire.
I completely know what you mean, but after 10 years on nights, my body is telling me that no matter the perks night shift offers, it was time to move to a shift where I could sleep better. I'm gonna miss it.
Funny, I would have guessed people would resist (or at least try to flee) more at night. Do you think it's a metabolic/psychological thing that makes all people less likely to resist, or because it's a different class of criminals active at night?
I can see how taking down a resisting suspect would be very, very satisfying! My impression is that most cops join the force to help put the smackdown on the bad guys - it must be nice to do that literally once in a while, and get a quick, decisive win, as opposed to the usual reams of paperwork and months in court. Plus the adrenaline's got to be amazing.
I'm with you on working nights vs days. Trying to drive Code 3 in daytime traffic is my biggest pet peeve.
Nights will always have my vote, even I think when the kids are older and it would be easy schedule-wise for the family for me to work days. Less brass at night and it's more laid back which is what I prefer.
I understand. I worked nights and with my new job I am also working nights. I also do my best college work at night. Always been a night person - even as a kid.
I'm with you, Smitty!
Swings or Graves is the only way to roll!
Day's sucks!
As a dispatcher, I like working nights better too. On day shift, I have to try to get guys who are 20 years my senior to do the things I say. Night shift I'm more likely to work with cops who want to get out and do stuff.
Same is true here at the power company.
Day shift there is a lot of buzz and jobs and people breaking crap that they should have left alone. People create a lot of work where no need for the work previously existed.
Night, the suits aren't pacing behind us, the stations are empty of people dinking around with things and causing outages. But when the odd incident does occur at night, it is always interesting: car into pole outage, substation break-in, generator fuel thefts, etc. Nights are slower paced, yet less boring. While its quiet, we watch Spike, or Law & Order, or World's Dumbest, etc. Not a bad gig.
I love night shift, but like you, 'headquarters' prefers when I work days.
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