The Anne Arundel County Police Department launched a new 12-hour patrol shift schedule on January 15, 2026, representing the most significant change to its Bureau of Patrol operations in 45 years. The shift replaces the longstanding 6-and-3 rotation and aims to prioritize officer wellness, improve work-life balance, and strengthen community service capabilities.
The transition reduces officers’ scheduled workdays from 243 to 182 or 183 annually. It structures shifts into two- or three-day work periods followed by equal rest intervals, providing every other Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off.
The change addresses critical staffing needs identified in January 2024. Chief Amal E. Awad directed the formation of a multidisciplinary committee that included executive command staff, lieutenants, sergeants, officers, union representatives, and strategic planners. The group examined staffing studies, policy adjustments, labor contract provisions, and conducted officer feedback surveys and updates over a year to ensure effective implementation.
FOP Lodge 70 President O’Brien Atkinson collaborated closely with executive command staff and committee members throughout the process to facilitate the transition.
“This new shift schedule will provide our officers with a much better quality of life by affording them more time off with their loved ones and more time to rest and recover,” said Anne Arundel County Chief of Police Amal E. Awad. “The outstanding leadership and expertise of the committee has ensured a sustainable evolution for our agency by enhancing our patrol operations moving forward.”
The 12-hour model is common among regional and national agencies. It optimizes workforce availability and improves coverage during peak demand periods, supporting consistent high-level service to the Anne Arundel County community.
Anne Arundel County, adjacent to Southern Maryland counties such as Prince George’s and Calvert, faces similar law enforcement recruitment and retention challenges. The department serves a population exceeding 580,000 across urban, suburban, and rural areas, with patrol operations central to daily response and prevention efforts. The shift change aligns with broader trends in Maryland policing to address burnout and improve retention amid ongoing staffing pressures in the region.
The announcement follows the department’s history of operational updates, including its founding in 1937 with initial 12-hour daily schedules before evolving to the 6-and-3 model. The new schedule restores elements of longer shifts while incorporating extended recovery periods to meet modern demands.
