Bush Bad For Law Enforcement
Published April 07, 2004
The recent law Bush pushed through congress that eliminated overtime for "certain specialists" will cut overtime pay for Alabama State Troopers. Proving that Bush is no friend of law enforcement. Despite what he says in speeches and campaign adds.
MONTGOMERY | A state overtime ruling could result in fewer state troopers at road construction sites and could also result in troopers having to repay past overtime.
Billy Norrell, executive director of the Alabama Road Builders Association, said last week that accidents could increase if fewer troopers decide to work road construction sites now that time-and-a-half overtime pay has been stopped.
"We are very concerned about the general public driving through construction zones and their safety and the safety of construction workers," Norrell said.
The Department of Transportation hires troopers to work construction sites and act as deterrents to speeding when construction workers are present.
"In the long run, it's about saving lives," said Col. Mike Coppage, director of the Department of Public Safety.
An interpretation by the state Personnel Department of federal pay rules has ended time-and-a-half overtime for some troopers.
Personnel Director Tommy Flowers said troopers who are paid for a/s40-hour week but who have not actually worked 40 hours a week can be paid only straight time until after they work 40 hours. (Their 40-hour week can be influenced by sick days, state holidays and personal days.)
"I'm comfortable my interpretation is correct, and it will hold up," Flowers said.
He said the overtime rule is standard for state employees.
"What applies to one ought to apply to all," Flowers said.
Coppage said he disagrees with the interpretation but agreed to abide by Flowers' interpretation.
"We interpret the law differently," said Coppage, who nonetheless agreed to stop the overtime pay.
The state's chief auditor is aware of the overtime change.
Chief Examiner Ron Jones said there's a potential for troopers to have to repay overtime based on future audit findings. He stressed that all the facts aren't known and no decision has been made.
- Bush Bad For Law Enforcement
- Published: April 07, 2004
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- Section: Culture
- Writer: H. Wayne Nix
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Comments on this articleComments
Wow, all that CIA spending didn't manage to stop 9.11. Maybe he should spend some of his own money on it.
I tend to agree with James. I am a police officer of a small town in LA. State Troopers are usually the highest paid law enforcement officers of their respective states. State troopers rarely do any more than being traffic cops.
My opinion may be tainted by State Troopers I have dealt with. They will lnot go out of their way to help anyone, including law enforcement officers.
I have trouble understanding the complaint of the writer. If an employer is required to pay overtime for work in excess of 8 hours per day, regardless of the hours worked each week, many employers would be paying overtime for normal operations. Some industries have converted to longer days and shorter weeks, i.e. 4 days at 10 hours per day. Most firemen work 24 hours on and 48 or 72 hours off. Should they be entitled to 16 hours of overtime on each day worked?
And why in the world would anyone blame Bush for this action? The legislation was written by and passed by congress. Bush merely agreed with the opinions of a majority of your elected representatives.
Stopping cars on the highway isn't easy. Someone has to do it to slow the traffic speeds down. I know, I do it for a living in Illinois. I work the Chicago metro area and we are one of the highest paid departments in the State. I stop to help everyone, Rob perhaps if you have encountered this with more than one troop, the problem might be with you!
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So you are saying that despite bush increasing spending in the FBI, CIA and our military (after years of cuts passed by the likes of Kerry), despite creating the department of homeland security, and despite all of his efforts against the war on terror (and his success in keeping us from being attacked on our shores in almost 3 years), he is bad for law enforcement because he helped pass a law that among other things reduces overtime by troopers at highway construction sites?
I think its common knowledge that some overtime efforts by our law enforcement are not necessary, such as having a state trooper parked and reading the newspaper at time and a half.