Question re: Off Duty Police -- Moonlighting

[Nick Danger]

Today (and a couple of times previous) I went to an estate sale where they had hired an off-duty officer at the sale. The officer sits in the cruiser -- which I don't have a problem with -- but with the motor running for the AC. Anyone else have a problem with this?? I'm not real happy about our tax $$ being spent for gas to run an AC for a moonlighting officer. Why can't they go inside the house that is already air conditioned? The city seems to be in dire straits regarding funding, and I certainly don't appreciate my tax dollars being used this way.

[Conan71]

Today (and a couple of times previous) I went to an estate sale where they had hired an off-duty officer at the sale. The officer sits in the cruiser -- which I don't have a problem with -- but with the motor running for the AC. Anyone else have a problem with this?? I'm not real happy about our tax $$ being spent for gas to run an AC for a moonlighting officer. Why can't they go inside the house that is already air conditioned? The city seems to be in dire straits regarding funding, and I certainly don't appreciate my tax dollars being used this way.

How about accumulated wear and tear on the vehicle as well.  If they want to moonlight, they need to do it in their own car.  My boss wouldn't be happy if I were working a second job in one of his vehicles, I assure you.

[custosnox]

I have to ask if they hired the officer directly or contracted through the department?  I can understand the reservations about using the patrol car if it was a direct hire of the officer.  I would also have a problem with them representing themself as officially being a police officer in this manner if it was a direct hire.  If it is contract through the department, then I have no problems with it at all, since they are paying the city for the service (and hopefully enough to cover the cost)

[Nick Danger]

I wasn't aware that someone such as an estate sale company could hire an officer through the department to benefit a private business. I was under the impression (maybe wrong?) that this type of work was moonlighting when the officer was not on duty. Nevertheless, I resent my tax dollars being used in this blatantly wasteful manner. I'll bet there are quite a few more instances where savings could be made also.

[DolfanBob]

I went out last Saturday to do a service call off of 111th st and Oneta Rd.
Sitting in a drive way was a TPD Police car parked. He lives two houses down from my customer. Hmmm, seems to me I remember something about not taking your patrol car home anymore. This house is in Wagoner County and darn near Coweta.
I guess old habits are just hard to break.

[Townsend]

I went out last Saturday to do a service call off of 111th st and Oneta Rd.
Sitting in a drive way was a TPD Police car parked. He lives two houses down from my customer. Hmmm, seems to me I remember something about not taking your patrol car home anymore. This house is in Wagoner County and darn near Coweta.
I guess old habits are just hard to break.

Who's going to enforce it?

[Conan71]

I wasn't aware that someone such as an estate sale company could hire an officer through the department to benefit a private business. I was under the impression (maybe wrong?) that this type of work was moonlighting when the officer was not on duty. Nevertheless, I resent my tax dollars being used in this blatantly wasteful manner. I'll bet there are quite a few more instances where savings could be made also.

It's been about 18 years ago and lots of beer was consumed that night so forgive me for the fuzzy memories.  I organized "Rock The Block" at 18th & Boston in 1992.  It was just about the last blow out street party in the tradition of the first Reggae Fests and some other "block parties" where Boston got closed down and a stage was put parallel to 18th St.  As I recall, the city had a requirement we had to have x-amount of police officers per 1000 people expected to attend, and as I recall we had to write a check for that at over-time rates.  I can't recall now if we used TCSD or TPD, I believe they gave us an option.

I'm with custo, if they were paying through the department, I'd assume (well nothing is typical nor logical under the City of Tulsa) all costs and expenses are covered.  Anyone else know how and if that's the case?

[Conan71]

I went out last Saturday to do a service call off of 111th st and Oneta Rd.
Sitting in a drive way was a TPD Police car parked. He lives two houses down from my customer. Hmmm, seems to me I remember something about not taking your patrol car home anymore. This house is in Wagoner County and darn near Coweta.
I guess old habits are just hard to break.

Meh, probably just getting a nooner. 

[DolfanBob]

Meh, probably just getting a nooner. 

Holy crap I feel stupid. I had to look "Meh" up.

[custosnox]

Holy crap I feel stupid. I had to look "Meh" up.

At least you didn't have to look up nooner

[dbacks fan]

It's been about 18 years ago and lots of beer was consumed that night so forgive me for the fuzzy memories.  I organized "Rock The Block" at 18th & Boston in 1992.  It was just about the last blow out street party in the tradition of the first Reggae Fests and some other "block parties" where Boston got closed down and a stage was put parallel to 18th St.  As I recall, the city had a requirement we had to have x-amount of police officers per 1000 people expected to attend, and as I recall we had to write a check for that at over-time rates.  I can't recall now if we used TCSD or TPD, I believe they gave us an option.

I'm with custo, if they were paying through the department, I'd assume (well nothing is typical nor logical under the City of Tulsa) all costs and expenses are covered.  Anyone else know how and if that's the case?

The city that I work for it is paid by the contractor for an event or time road construction mainly for traffic control, and in the case of road construction they pay an additional if a cruiser is needed.