Police Still Waiting for Overtime Pay

dps-2

Police officers are still waiting for word on when they will be paid their accrued over time prior to last year.

And they are upset to learn that all of their overtime hours prior to FY2015 may not be compensated.

The overtime for police has been the subject of several meetings since the Department of Labor notified DPS that it must pay accrued overtime hours for the rank and file at DPS, including cops, and corrections officers.

According to at least four police and prison officers who have contacted KHJ News, they have  been told that only their overtime for Flag Day and certain special enforcement will be paid.  

But all other hours which they worked beyond 8 hours and holiday work will not be paid.

None of the officers who resigned, about 15 , within the last several months, have cited this as their reasons for leaving, according to  Acting Commissioner Vaimaga Maiava.

But senior DPS personnel say non payment of overtime and low salaries are the reason why several have left.

One official of DPS disputes the position of the Human Resources Dept that only pre approved overtime can be paid.

According to the 20 year veteran, it’s impossible to plan when overtime is needed.

Take for example disasters or other calamities.

The official said what has happened is, the police men and women have worked the hours and their employer is refusing to pay.

The veteran employee of DPS says the excuse is there’s no money but “somehow  when the leaders have set their minds on something, even if its not budgeted the money will be available somehow.”

The officers who talked with KHJ News said their only hope to be paid for the work they performed is the  Department of Labor.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,