Summary
The FY25 Police Court Overtime Progress report highlights the Philadelphia Police Department’s success in reducing excessive overtime costs for court appearances. In FY18, Police court overtime totaled $22 million, with much of the cost stemming from late subpoena notices and unnecessary officer testimony. Following PICA’s 2019 recommendations, the City implemented new policies, including improved scheduling, subpoena limits, and oversight mechanisms. As a result, Police court overtime spending has been reduced by 36%, with savings of $8 million annually. The report commends the collaborative efforts between the Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office in implementing these changes. Continued monitoring and adherence to best practices will be necessary to sustain these reductions and ensure responsible use of City resources.