Chester Police Department Expands Patrol Hours to Enhance Community Safety

New 12-hour shifts bring more officers to Chester streets

CHESTER, Pa. (July 26, 2024) – In an effort to get more patrol officers on the streets and bolster community relations, the Chester Police Department has implemented significant changes to daily staffing. Officers will now work 12-hour shifts, a move intended to increase the number of on-duty patrol officers per shift by scheduling 10 patrol officers rather than the previous seven.

The new shift structure, agreed to by the City of Chester Fraternal Order of the Police (FOP), aims to deter crime, develop positive community connections, and provide officers with the opportunity to have every other weekend off. Previously, the patrol force was spread out over three eight-hour shifts.

“Our first priority in City government is to ensure that our residents are safe in their homes and businesses and all public areas, and I can assure our residents that Police Commissioner Steven Gretsky and I will do whatever it takes to make that happen,” said Mayor Stefan Roots. “What’s more, I want to thank the Fraternal Order of Police and all of our dedicated police officers for their cooperation.”

These changes align with Mayor Roots’ Safe Summer Initiative, which includes a juvenile curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. and the development of programs to provide youth with safe and enriching spaces, such as camps, sports leagues and free tickets to Philadelphia Union games.

The Chester Police Department is currently staffed with 36 active patrol officers and approximately 60 personnel in total. New regulations now allow for applicants residing within 50 miles of City Hall to join the Chester Police Department. The Department is actively recruiting for open positions.

Those interested in joining the Chester Police Department can find more information and apply at www.chestercity.com/jobs/.

For more information on the Chester Police Department, visit the Chester Police Department website. For more information on the Safe Summer Initiative, visit the Safe Summer 2024 website.