Osceola council approves amendment setting police hours and overtime policy

The Osceola City Council on Aug. 5 unanimously approved Resolution 2025-32, amending Section 5.4 of the city's Employee Personnel Handbook to clarify hours of work and overtime for the Osceola Police Department. The motion to adopt the resolution was made by Councilmember Luci Sullivan and seconded by Councilmember Sonya Hicks and passed on a roll-call vote with all five members voting "aye."

The resolution updates scheduling guidelines for patrol officers, stating that patrol officers will generally follow a schedule consisting of five consecutive 10-hour workdays followed by three days off, then four consecutive 10-hour workdays followed by four days off. It also specifies that the police chief will determine daily and weekly hours and that the chief, captain and other administrative staff will typically work a standard five-day, eight-hour schedule, with adjustments allowed to meet departmental needs. The resolution text indicates that specific shifts and assignments will be determined by the Chief of Police in accordance with operational requirements.

Council discussion recorded in the minutes shows the item was presented as an amendment to accommodate a recently adopted organizational structure for the Police Department; the minutes do not record individual member debate or direct quotations on the subject. The measure takes effect as adopted and places shift assignment authority with the police chief, who will implement schedules consistent with the new handbook language.

The council packet identifies the item as Resolution 2025-32 in the meeting materials. No public comment about the item is recorded in the minutes. The council adjourned at 8:02 p.m.