| Author
|
Post |
 
|
|
Adam
F L I N T O I D
|
In case someone can't figure it out my point: Perhaps Flint should consider doing this.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070710/METRO/707100375&theme=Metro-Detroit-police
DETROIT -- Detroiters may be able to contract with the city to pay its police officers to guard their shops, bars, even neighborhoods.
Under a proposal now before the City Council, the Detroit Police want to start hiring out its off-duty officers -- in full uniform, along with badge, gun and patrol car -- to those looking for security.
Department officials say the plan is aimed at helping its officers make more money and putting additional cops on the streets. And it would mean an extra layer of security for customers, such as businesses or community groups in the city, they say. Other big cities have had similar programs for years, including Miami and Atlanta.
"You'd have your own private police officer," said police spokesman James Tate. "When you have actual officers it sets a different tone than a security guard."
But some question whether it could open the door to more lawsuits for officers' off-duty actions in a department already under federal monitoring for alleged police brutality.
And is it asking taxpayers to pony up twice for services?
"What do your taxes get you if not police service?" asked Councilwoman Sheila Cockrel.
The proposal, called the Secondary Employment Program, has been around for years, but now the City Council is considering it. The city law department is reviewing the plan, first proposed in March.
It would cost $24-$34 an hour to hire an officer, depending on the cop's rank. Renting out a squad car with an officer would cost another $50 a day for gas and maintenance. That's significantly more than hiring a security guard, which can run around $10-$15 an hour.
Department to oversee work
The department already charges most organizers of various events in the city for on-duty police, except for the city's sports stadiums, which have separate agreements with the city that include some free police protection.
But this is the first time the department would directly oversee off-duty work, Tate said. Officers commonly work off-duty jobs without equipment, with approval from the department.
Tate said the department would schedule the officers so that it doesn't hurt the overall coverage of the city. And he said there aren't problems renting out patrol cars because the department has enough to spare. It wouldn't be a money-maker for Detroit. The city coffers would only see a processing fee of $2 an hour to pay for the administration of the program, which is estimated to cost $500,000 a year.
Officials say the city would benefit because more officers would be on the street.
"It's a visibility issue," said Assistant Chief Ralph Godbee. "Every study we've looked at shows that statistically when there is a higher uniformed police presence, the opportunity for crime goes down."
Cockrel said she's concerned that city-sanctioned off-duty work may result in more lawsuits.
She said the city's law department is developing language that would hold the outside employer legally responsible for an officer's actions. The police department's original proposal didn't include such a clause, because officials said the city already is liable for off-duty officers who take actions such as arresting someone.
Many departments have clauses that hold the outside employer responsible for injuries caused by or to the officer, but they aren't always enforceable, according to the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
Currently, cops in the city can't work for any businesses regulated by the department, which includes bars. But under the proposal, officers would be able to work for bars as long as they stay outside.
"That would still be under heavy scrutiny," said Godbee, who added the department wants to avoid any conflicts of interest.
Some owners skeptical
Department officials recently told a group of bar and strip club owners about the proposal.
Joe Hall, general manager of a Lansing-area consulting company that works with the Zoo Bar in Detroit, said the program raises ethical issues.
"It's highly unusual for any agency of law enforcement to say 'You will have less problems from our agency if you hire our officers at this rate of pay,' " Hall said. "That just has a real problem passing the smell test."
Joe Lanier Jr., president of the Avenue of Fashion Business Association in the Seven Mile and Livernois area, said it's something his association likely would consider. Last week, two area shops were robbed at gunpoint. He said liability is among the outstanding questions.
"It's a touchy situation," Lanier, whose family owns Terry's Wigs and Lashes, said Monday. "If someone is shot who is responsible?"
In Miami, the city is reviewing its program to ban officers from working at bars unless more than half the business's revenue comes from food, because there's concern that cops are looking the other way when crimes are committed, said Miami's Lt. Daniel Dominguez. But in general, Miami's off-duty program has become so popular in the community, there's often more demand than officers for hire, Dominguez said.
Detroit officers are looking forward to the program, said Lt. Eugene Goode, president of the Detroit Police Lieutenants and Sergeants Association.
"Detroit needs something to supplement their paychecks especially with the cost of living," Goode said.
Officers start out at just under $31,000 a year.
In the current climate of budget cuts, it's not surprising Detroit is rolling out extra protection at a cost, said Tom Hendrickson, executive director of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police.
"It's a manifestation of the times," Hendrickson said. "The resources in law enforcement are so diminished these days sometimes we have to ask people to pay for it." |
_________________
Adam
-
Mysearchisover.com
-
FB
-
Jobs
|
|
Tue Jul 10, 2007 11:25 am |
|
|
Adam Ford
F L I N T O I D
|
|
|
Thu Jul 12, 2007 11:23 am |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Register
Profile
FlintTalk.com Forum Index
> Political Talk
