Positive news about morale and retention in the law enforcement field is rare. Yet, that’s exactly what the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office in New Mexico reported in a recent media release announcing the successful completion of its six-month pilot of the “4/8/40 Work Well Live Well” schedule, launched on October 5, 2024.

The innovative model—four 8-hour shifts totaling 40 hours per week—was offered to patrol deputies as an opt-in/opt-out option. What made this pilot truly groundbreaking was that participating deputies received up to two hours of administrative leave per shift dedicated to physical and mental wellness activities. Performance and productivity data were tracked and compared to corresponding periods in 2023 and 2024.

Results from the October 2024–April 2025 pilot were striking:

  • Overtime hours decreased by 53%.
  • Vacancy rates dropped dramatically—from 24% in August 2024 to 3%.
  • Average satisfaction scores among opt-in deputies reached 88/10, peaking at 9.27/10 in March 2025.
  • Deputy-initiated calls for service rose by 69%.
  • Traffic citations grew by 84%.
  • Traffic stops increased by 94%.
  • Motor vehicle crashes declined by 20%, attributed to heightened enforcement activity.
  • Response times for both Priority Level 1 and overall calls steadily improved.

The 4/8/40 schedule replaced traditional 12-hour shifts—which often stretched to 15 hours—with a healthier, more sustainable structure that emphasizes rest, family time, and personal wellness. Deputies reported improved work-life balance, reduced fatigue, and greater job satisfaction, alongside measurable gains in operational performance. This represents a clear, resounding win-win for both staff and the Sheriff’s Office.

Encouraged by these results, Sheriff Adan Mendoza and County Manager Gregory S. Shaffer have agreed to extend the 4/8/40 schedule for another six months. During this extension, the Sheriff’s Office announced that performance metrics will continue to be evaluated and deputies’ feedback gathered before deciding on permanent implementation of this schedule.