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OGDEN, Utah (AP) -- Mayor Matthew Godfrey is working on a policy for police officers staffing special events that he says is intended to have more of the department's overtime funds go for fighting crime.
Among other things, it would allow event organizers to complete a course certifying them in traffic control and road closures so they would not have to hire as many police officers.
"The policy stays event-friendly, while allowing police officers to fight crime," Godfrey said.
Organizers of events other than those sponsored by the city are required to pay for police services such as traffic control and road closures, the mayor said.
The city has about 30 reserve officers and about six to 10 are available at any given time to staff more than 50 events a year, such as the annual Pioneer Day Parade and Hot Rock'n 4th celebration, Police Chief Jon Greiner said.
The police department tries to augment reserve officers, who earn $30 a month, with regular uniformed officers already on duty. If more manpower is needed at an event, off-duty uniformed officers are used and paid overtime.
The police department's overtime pay budget for uniform personnel for fiscal 2007 is $688,000, compared to $640,000 for fiscal 2006. Greiner estimated 10 percent to 15 percent of the 2007 overtime allocation will be spent staffing special events.
Information from: Standard-Examiner,
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
