Police officers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, are altering their response protocols by no longer attending lower-priority calls that the department deems unnecessary for an in-person response. Instead, these calls will be redirected to the Telephone Reporting Unit.

The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police clarified that officers will continue to respond to “in-progress emergencies,” encompassing situations requiring medical assistance, domestic disputes, calls involving evidence, or instances where the Mobile Crime Unit is needed for scene processing.

The changes, effective as of Monday, aim to streamline operational efficiency and resource allocation to better serve citizens, according to a statement from Chief Larry Scirotto, Fox News reported.

The Telephone Reporting Unit will now handle calls related to theft, harassment, criminal mischief, and burglary alarms, as reported by WPXI-TV.

Officers will be shifting from the conventional five 8-hour workdays to a schedule of four 10-hour shifts per week, allowing them to enjoy three consecutive days off.

This adjustment comes as police departments across the country explore strategies to enhance officer retention and recruitment, responding to reported staffing shortages amid prevailing anti-police sentiments in recent years.

Written by B.C. Begley