Police To Pay Fee For Off - Duty Use of Cars

By DOUG NURSE / www.ajc.com

Thursday, October 16, 2008
Alpharetta is requiring its police officers to pony up for use of equipment and fuel during off-duty jobs. At least one officer has argued it amounts to a new tax on law enforcement.
As of Saturday, police officers with take-home patrol cars will be required to remit 10 percent of their pay from “extra-duty jobs,” said James Drinkard, assistant city administrator.

“We are trying to get fuel costs under control,” Drinkard said. “These officers are certified, using an Alpharetta badge, a city vehicle, and city fuel. Why should the citizens pay for the fuel they use while working extra jobs?”

Detective Corey Miller, filed a grievance protesting the policy to Public Safety Director Gary George. In his complaint, Miller wrote that the city is essentially taxing public safety employees.
“There is a question that such a fee could be perceived that the city is doing indirectly what it cannot do directly under law,” he wrote. “By taxing off-duty employment, especially through payroll deduction, the city is indirectly receiving funds from a private person, firm or corporation. …”

Miller could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

George dismissed the complaint, and Drinkard rejected the appeal.
George said he received several complaints from residents about idling off-duty police vehicles.
“You wouldn’t believe the complaints I was getting,” George said. “They call or e-mail and say, ‘I saw an officer at North Point Community Church. The car was in the intersection with the lights going and the motor running. Are my tax dollars going for that car?’ Now, we say ‘no,’ and they say ‘OK.’ “

Many officers supplement their income by providing security or traffic control to private businesses or organizations.The department allows officers to take home cars under the theory that it heightens police profile and discourages crime.
That also holds true of extra jobs, said Dennis Hammock, regional director for the Fraternal Order of Police. “The public still benefits,” Hammock said. “It deters crime. They shouldn’t assess it all, but if they do, it should only be mileage to and from the job location.”

The cities of Suwanee and Holly Springs assess similar fees, and Gwinnett and Cherokee counties are considering them, according to an internal Alpharetta police memo.Officers generally earn $25 an hour on off-duty jobs, the memo said. Drinkard said the money will go directly into the city General Fund.

Initially, Alpharetta officials contemplated charging officers a per-mile fee for use of vehicles outside city business, which would have applied to driving cars to and from work, Drinkard said. Police captains suggested the flat 10 percent because it would have less impact on the officers and be easy to track.

The idea has merit, though it no doubt rankles the police officers, said Frank Rotondo, executive director of the Georgia Chiefs of Police Association. “It’s a benefit to have take-home cars. I’m sure the officers don’t like the policy,” Rotondo said.