Go to a nightclub, an apartment complex or a liquor store in Prince George's County, Md., and chances are you'll find a county officer providing security, but the recent arrest of some county police officers has sparked a review of the moonlighting policy.
The Prince George's County Police Department's Office of Secondary Employment, lead by Maj. Dave Morris, was created following the arrest of three officers accused of committing federal crimes while working part-time jobs.
Officers are allowed to moonlight for up to 20 hours beyond their regular work week, providing security to apartment complexes and businesses. Some make as much as $50 per hour. All they're required to do is call in to dispatch what time they are starting and where they're working. That's entered into a log with pen and paper, creating mountains of paperwork.
There's no way to know if the officers are following the rules. Morris said. He's creating a database to start getting a handle on which officers are working and where.
The recent arrest of the officers involved in the federal sting were just part of the reason for the part-time employment review. Officials also want to make sure officers are not getting fatigued by working too many hours.
Fraternal Order of Police President Vince Canales called the additional restrictions on part-time work is unnecessary. The current rules just need to be enforced, he said.
Several violent incidents have happened at nightclubs when officers were working security, so Morris is considering new rules for working at clubs, and he wants businesses to know the officers are still police whether they're on duty or not.
Morris hopes to provide some recommendations to the interim police chief in early February.
