The Knoxville Police Department will be trying a new shift schedule with the start of the new year.

Chief Dan Losada tells KNIA/KRLS News officers at the department recently approached the leadership and city officials about changing from eight hour shifts to 12. The proposal was accepted and the new schedule will be put in place on an experimental basis. Chief Losada says research shared by those officers shows that the change in shift time will have no effect on overall staffing and will allow the officers more time off in the long run. Additionally Losada is in the process of selecting an officer to promote to Lieutenant and bring the total to three. Having three lieutenants will allow 24 hour supervision of officers, which Losada says will make the department more efficient and consistent.