Off-Duty Blind Spots: Recent Headline Review – March 2022
Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes
2/23/22 Police Officer Working Off-Duty Accused of Filing False Income Tax Returns
Off-duty officer accused of failing to report more than $58,000 in cash payments earned from off-duty jobs at area nightclubs in 2015, 2016 and 2017, federal authorities wrote in court records.
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Agency Blindspot:
Law enforcement agencies do not have the time, energy, or budget to ensure their officers working off-duty are handling their tax accounting properly. Unfortunately, if and when an officer fails to account for their taxes properly there are negative ramifications to the agency. Agencies need an off-duty solution that not only helps prevent tax discrepancies, but one that provides sufficient reporting and job transparency to protect themselves and their officers.
2/23/22 Program To Hire Off-Duty Officers Sees Highest Spending in a Decade
Demand for off-duty police saw a nearly 70% jump in revenue. The right third party off duty solution can ensure your agency does not experience costs associated to this increase in demand.
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Agency Blindspot:
While an increase in demand for off-duty police is a positive, agencies should be cautious that an increase in demand does not equal an increase in cost to coordinate. Agencies without a complete off-duty solution face potential increases in costs to provide these services.
3/12/22 Officer Charged For Not Working Off-Duty Shifts
An officer was paid for off-duty security shifts that he did not work. The officer billed the business for more than $5,000 for these unattended shifts.
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Agency Blindspot:
Agencies without proper oversight of their off-duty program may not even know if their officers show up to the job they agreed to work. This creates the possibility that officers are getting for paid for work not performed, whether intentionally or accidentally. Either way, this will likely cause controversy for the agency and their off-duty program.
3/19/22 Gunman Fires At Off-Duty Cop, Security Guards
Thankfully an off-duty officer was not physically harmed, but faced mortal danger when he removed a disgruntled man from a business.
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Agency Blindspot:
Officers, even when they are unharmed, face major liability and risk when working off-duty security shifts. An officer’s use of force, whether on-duty or while working an off-duty assignment, may expose the agency to the cost of litigation. The right off-duty solution partner can reduce this risk for off-duty incidents.
3/21/22 Ex-Police Officer Sentenced To Prison For Defrauding His Side Job
An officer billed a private company for almost 200 patrol shifts that he did not work, ultimately costing taxpayers over $50,000.
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Agency Blindspot:
It’s bad enough when an officer fails to work one shift and collects payment, but if an agency does not have a complete off-duty solution or transparent processes in place, tens of thousands of dollars may be unlawfully collected. In addition to the potential criminal charges an officer would face in this circumstance; their actions will likely bring discredit to the agency and the agency off-duty program
3/31/22 Suspect in Off-Duty Officer Involved Shooting Dies
Off-duty officers were providing security at a club when they were told a man outside was holding a handgun. The man had gotten into an argument with the bouncer and pulled out the firearm which he then pointed toward the officers. After an exchange of gunfire, the man was shot and later died.
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Agency Blindspot:
Officers, even when they are unharmed, face major liability and risk when working off-duty security shifts. An officer’s use of force, whether on-duty or while working an off-duty assignment, may expose the agency to the cost of litigation. The right off-duty solution partner can reduce this risk for off-duty incidents.