British police agencies will need shift systems within 2 years to comply with the European Union Working Time Directive that limits the work week to 48 hours, averaged over 17 weeks. Research on shift work in other sectors has focused on its impacts on attendance, stress, families, health, and circadian rhythms. No shift system can solve all the problems related to shift work, but managers can make it easier through actions such as making shift changes in a clockwise direction. Police agencies in various countries use varying shift systems. The Ottawa shift system uses 5 duty groups working 3 shifts (a 10-hour day, a 10-hour evening, and night shift of 8.5 hours) on a 35-day work pattern. The South Yorkshire Police in England in 1997 reviewed the Ottawa shift system used by five districts and compared it with other agencies' systems. Results revealed both positive and negative results. Police officers liked the Ottawa shift system; it improved their morale and decreased their fatigue. This system may prove a viable alternative to the rigid day-shift, afternoon-shift, and night-shift rotation despite little conclusive data indicating that one shift system is better than another. In addition, the law enforcement community should examine alternative shift system both to improve police effectiveness and resource allocation and to enhance officer health and well-being. Photographs and reference notes