California police force costs state $2 million in overtime pay
A California Watch investigation recently revealed the Office of Protective Services racked up a $2 million overtime bill during 2011. Of the 80 officers that received premium pay (one-and-a-half times their regular hourly wage), 22 said they managed to double their annual salaries by spending extra time performing work duties.
The average salary of those officers, which account for nearly a quarter of the entire force, was $124,000 last year. Base salaries for members of the patrol force start at $44,000. One officer earned $80,000 for overtime employee attendance to supplement his $54,133 annual salary.
The Office of Protective Services are responsible for patrolling facilities that provide services for intellectually disabled patients in Sonoma, Tulare, Riverside, Los Angeles and Orange counties. In some cases, the officers were paid to patrol nearly empty buildings that had been closed and one officer admits to having received receive pay for time he spent sleeping. According to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), police officers might be eligible for time-and-a-half wages during sleeping and eating time unless certain conditions are met.
In light of the huge payroll expenses, the California Statewide Enforcement Association said it's taking steps to cut back on extensive overtime. Agencies that are taking steps to keep payroll on budget can use timekeeping systems that catch employees who are continually accruing premium pay to make the necessary scheduling adjustments.
The average salary of those officers, which account for nearly a quarter of the entire force, was $124,000 last year. Base salaries for members of the patrol force start at $44,000. One officer earned $80,000 for overtime employee attendance to supplement his $54,133 annual salary.
The Office of Protective Services are responsible for patrolling facilities that provide services for intellectually disabled patients in Sonoma, Tulare, Riverside, Los Angeles and Orange counties. In some cases, the officers were paid to patrol nearly empty buildings that had been closed and one officer admits to having received receive pay for time he spent sleeping. According to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), police officers might be eligible for time-and-a-half wages during sleeping and eating time unless certain conditions are met.
In light of the huge payroll expenses, the California Statewide Enforcement Association said it's taking steps to cut back on extensive overtime. Agencies that are taking steps to keep payroll on budget can use timekeeping systems that catch employees who are continually accruing premium pay to make the necessary scheduling adjustments.
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