Many law enforcement officers enjoy the ability to work off-duty assignments. many of these involve working private security details such as personal protection, driving, movie details, etc. With the reduction of qualified candidates for entry level police positions, agencies are having a difficult time filling shifts and meeting minimum staffing requirements without the use of overtime. The availability of personnel to fill these positions can be hampered with officers working a lot of off-duty assignments. Also, the performance of some personnel may diminish as they have already worked a shift on their off-duty job prior to the primary assignment with their agency. This can diminish officer safety and the overall service to the public when fatigue becomes a factor.
Therefore, should agencies encourage or discourage personnel from working off-duty assignments, and under what circumstances should it be permitted?
Most agencies have rules about outside employement. One thing that is probably the same is that your agency comes first. Where I am from we have a lot of overtime available to meet mininum staffing and other special details. People are expected to take their fair share of it. Also when it comes to mandating it, they go on a rotation starting with the least senor officer on up every month. It rarely ever makes it to the top, and then starts all over again. The new people work the most mandated overtime, but everyone has done it before. At my agency every year you are supposed to provide the Chief with any outside employment you plan to work for the year and he can approve it or disapprove it. But regardless with things hit the fan, you are more than expected to make yourself available for the city regardless of any previous arrangements. They generally discourage private security type work because it makes the city liable if you do something (lawyers always find a way to make a city liable) and also because there is just too much overtime that has to be filled in the department.
