Summary
The study, conducted by accounting firm Baker Tilly Virchow Krause at PICA’s request, analyzed $20.7 million in police overtime costs from FY18 and determined that at least $7 million, and possibly up to $10 million, could have been avoided. One major inefficiency identified was officers waiting in courthouses for hours without being called to testify, which contributed to the department consistently exceeding its overtime budget. The report recommends coordinating officer shifts with court schedules more effectively and leveraging technology to track officer appearances and streamline scheduling. PICA board members called for collaboration between the Police Department, District Attorney’s Office, and First Judicial District to implement reforms. The study also noted that reducing overtime would not only save taxpayer dollars but could also help mitigate pension costs, as overtime earnings are factored into retirement benefits. The article underscores the growing financial impact of police overtime and the urgent need for systemic reforms.