OCEAN CITY – Concerns about rising overtime costs in the resort’s police department, particularly during the offseason, were allayed somewhat last week when the police chief outlined a myriad of reasons for the spike.
During a budget wrap-up session last Thursday, Council Secretary Tony DeLuca, who often rails about overtime in all city departments, raised the question about the spike in overtime at the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD). Since the last budget cycle, the OCPD overtime paid has increased by $60,000, from $840,000 to $900,000.
“I asked the question because I was curious,” he said. “Everybody knows I hate overtime, but I certainly understand. I certainly understand June at half-a-million dollars and support it. I understand September at $142,000 and I support it. I understand the seasonal things in October. What I can’t understand is November, December, January, February and March at $262,000 when you’re fully-staffed. I just can’t understand it.”
OCPD Chief Ross Buzzuro explained much of the overtime paid is when his department has to ramp up deployments during certain times.
“When we look at overtime in a traditional sense, we might have six officers on, and when we have issues arise, we might bump that up to eight or 10 because there is more work to be done,” he said. “That can be several hours of overtime.”
Whats the deal City FAIL. There are yearly discussions about esstential services on the island. LEOs, EMTs, Firefighters and those behind the scenes who assist all. Yet there is always resourcing questions about OCFD, LEOs year round and seasonal.
Is painting a working water tower more important than essential services?
Is raising bonfire expenses more important?
How about the constant debate on City Fail salaries?
Does room tax revenue always need to be in the discussion when marketing is brought up?
Now its OT again. Wonder why the need? (Psst Rickie we already know)
Years ago everyone moaned when the salaries were released publicly for city workers and the high salaries PLUS OT attached.
Gonna be a wonderful Endless Summer of 2022 without hired hands – AGAIN!
you forgot to mention hiring Diversity and Inclusion staff! ” starting salary to be around $60,000, with a total fiscal impact in the first year around $80,000 when benefits are added.”
This is why no one trusts cops. Was there ever any update to those cases of cops caught sleeping in their cars in parking lots while raking in overtime?
Well well well. Lets git on it SBYNEWS. Ocean City Councilmember Mark Paddock last evening in a north end restaurant. OC leos called in. There was a fender bender, Mark goes inside to drink….also a domestic instance with a child…Mark advised to have someone SOBER take him home. Child services involved.
Gonna be great Summer of 2022