Chase Strategy

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Please prepare short studies including 400-700 words for the case study.

Be ready to present case study at due date. Group who makes presentation will be chosen randomly.

It is not necessary to prepare presentation for discussion questions. They are discussed in the class verbally. But if you want, you can prepare presentation.

Please, do not put your report in any file or sheet protector.

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ANSWER:

Q1: Which variations in demand for police services should be considered in an aggregate plan for resources? Which variations can be accomplished with short-term scheduling adjustments?

In the case of Southwestern University, I would say this strategy may not work because their demand varies a lot throughout the year. During the summer, student population is ¼ th of what is there during the fall and spring semesters. Also, they have special events in which the demand for the extra police service suddenly goes up. So, I would say it would be wiser to go with other types of aggregate planning methods.

Chase strategy typically attempts to achieve output rates for each period that match the demand forecast for that period .This might be hiring or laying off different work forces and can be considered for sure. There are number of ways to achieve chase strategy. As we are suggesting Campus police chief at Southwestern University can match the extra police service demand by means of hiring and laying off the officers. It would be wise to use them part time, and over time for different demand periods. Using methods like part time is less costly and more flexible than full-time workers. However there are some limitations to this and it is not always possible to use part time officers. They can mostly be used in the football matches in this particular event.

Using overtime officers could be a solution however we need to keep in mind that the effectiveness and the efficiency of the officers will also be lower. This way the demand during 2 seasons(spring and fall ) could be achieved however there is a price we need to pay and this should also kept in mind. Hiring only 4 additional sworn officers,  might be a good solution and probably they wouldn’t need to work overtime for more than 10 hours per week for each officer.

Variations in demand for police services that should be considered in an aggregate plan:

1. Regular Sworn officers  with Overtime during the spring and fall semester
2. Regular Sworn officers + 4 additional sworn officers as planned by the chief with lesser nos. of Overtime as compared to first option during the spring and fall semester
3. Regular sworn officers working double shift during the football weekend and special events
4. More than 40 Law enforcement officers + dozen state police officers + work study and part time students and local residents to help with traffic and parking during special events and football weekend

For the most part of the spring and fall semesters, the current sworn officers are able to take care of the demand variation with working overtime. For special events and football matches  Law enforcement officers + dozen state police officers would take care of the situation.

Variation no. 3 and 4 can be accomplished with short-term scheduling adjustments as this requires small adjustments on the side of police officer scheduling.

However the variation no. 1 and 2 requires a more detailed planning for the following reason:

• Costs more
• Variation no. 1 and 2 is over a longer duration
• Need to consider fatigue officers and overtime planning
• Also means planning for the crime prevention, safety and health programs for the community

Q2: Evaluate the current staffing plan. What does it cost? Are 26 officers sufficient to handle the normal workload?

Current Staffing strength = 26 Officers

Average starting salary for a police officer = $ 28000

Yearly cost of regular police office = $ 28000 * 26 = $ 728,000

Given in the question that during the last academic year (a nine-month period), overtime payments to campus police officers totaled over $120,000.

40 officers * 9 hours * $ 18.00 * 5 games = $ 32400

25 Part Time * 9 hours * $ 9.00 * 5 games = $ 10125

Total Cost =$ 728,000 + $120,000 + $ 32400 + $ 10125 = $ 890,525

26 Officers are sufficient to handle the normal workload. Additional workers only needed at the games.

Q3: What would be the additional cost of the chief’s proposal. How would you suggest that he justify the request?

Current Staffing strength = 26 Officers

Cost of 4 additional officers = $ 28000 * 4 = $ 112,000

Chief’s plan request funding for 4 additional officers, 2 officers would be for the new program  and 2 officers would be used to alleviate the overload on his current staff.