’38-hour working week would make the police more attractive’

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The Bern police cannot find people: in the “current labor market situation” it is a “challenge” if the force wants to hire staff. The Kapo is currently struggling with a slight understaffing due to the ongoing increase in staff.

With the current corps, Kapo Bern is able to “serve the guards and fully carry out our basic mission”. But recruiting about 115 police officers and about 15 to 20 security guards every year, as planned, is not easy.

“38-hour working week makes everyone more attractive”

It has been decided to gradually expand the police force of Bern. 170 jobs are to be created by 2025 and another 190 police officers are to be created by 2030. When asked, Kapo writes that “a 38-hour week would probably make any employer more attractive.” The police thus indicate that the reduction of working hours also suits them.

As reported by Blick, the two Bernese SP council members Andrea Zryd (47) and David Stampfli (40) are calling on cantonal workers to reduce their weekly working hours from 42 to 38 hours. In concrete terms, the police do not want to comment on the comrades’ demands: it is not for the cantonal police to “comment on ongoing political progress”.

“Reduction would be helpful”

Adrian Wüthrich (42), president of the Bern-Canton Police Association, takes over. It has become more demanding for the Cantonal Police to recruit new personnel. “I welcome the fact that the police do not want to compromise when it comes to the requirements for new police officers. Reducing the weekly working hours would of course help to fill the vacancies and to be able to carry out the planned expansion of the police force,’ says the former SP National Council member.

The night shifts and weekend shifts that the police forces have to work do not necessarily make working for the cantonal police any more attractive. The force should be much more compliant to allow police officers from Bern to retire at the age of 62.

When asked how the attractiveness of the police profession can be increased, the Kapo emphasized that the aim is always to make the profession attractive to employees, but also to potential interested parties. Various adjustments have been made for this in the recent past. For example, allowances such as expense allowances and allowances, for example in the context of weekend and night work, were increased.

Part time today

Where possible, the police also try to offer more part-time work and flexible working hours. Last but not least, efforts are made to show appreciation to the employees for their very demanding work and their commitment to the people of Bern. However, the police profession calls for a high degree of flexibility and great mental and physical toughness.

Although it is possible for police officers in Bern to work part-time, this is usually only two years after their training. Uniformed employees must then work at least 50 percent. With the security guards, who are responsible for the security and traffic services of the embassy in Bern, for example, it is already possible to start working for 80 percent immediately after the training.

Working from home is not taboo

It is more difficult with the home office, which should be possible depending on the position and the department in Bern. “The focus is always on carrying out the basic task of ensuring security 24 hours a day, every day and 365 days a year,” the police media office writes.

The police profession with a 38-hour working week would certainly be more attractive. Not only Adrian Wüthrich says this, the Bernese police have also signaled it to the two SP politicians, Zryd and Stampfli. The question should be simple whether the police force should be further expanded in order to guarantee the aforementioned 24/7 operation.

Source:Blick