Costs for Police Services

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Compensation for costs. Police officers are there to serve the public and maintain order in their communities. There are times when citizens want the same service at a private or semipublic event, and some municipalities have established regulations to accommodate these requests. It is up to the sponsors of these events to compensate the police officers for traffic control, security and other assistance provided. Generally, arrangements are coordinated by the Chief of Police. Some regulations require a contract between the municipality and the entity requesting the service, and include insurance and indemnification requirements. Hourly fees may be set, or municipalities may provide estimates in advance instead. Criteria for which officers qualify for off-duty or extra-duty employment are also set forth. If your municipality does not have such regulations in place, or if you think existing regulations should be updated, contact us for copies of sample legislation on police services.

Recovery of costs. On a similar note, we offer sample legislation for recovery of costs for police services. Where certain private properties require a disproportionate amount of calls that result in the need for police response, the owners and/or rental agents in charge of the private properties are billed for the costs incurred. Certain exclusions apply, such as crimes against residents or property and crimes involving spousal abuse or abuse of children. The intent of this legislation is to require property owners and/or rental agents to take responsibility for managing their properties more effectively to minimize police intervention. If you are interested in reviewing this legislation, request free samples on recovery of costs for police services.

Ridley Twp. PA: Ch. 220 York Twp. PA: Ch. 59 North Brunswick Twp. NJ: Ch. 69, Art. VI Lacey Twp. NJ: § 93-15 Camden C. NJ: § 87-9 Order On-Line!

Ridley, Twp. PA

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[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Ridley as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]

Response to false alarms -- See Ch. 66.
Disorderly conduct -- See Ch. 113.
Hazardous materials cleanup fees -- See Ch. 151.
Ticket lines for special events -- See Ch. 176, Art. II.
Teen entertainment clubs -- See Ch. 176, Art. III.
Parades and processions -- See Ch. 199.
Picketing -- See Ch. 213.
Shows and special events -- See Ch. 245.

§ 220-1. License required.

§ 220-2. Basis for fee. [Amended 5-18-1983 by Ord. No. 1553]

§ 220-3. License term; renewal.

§ 220-4. Survey; notice to comply.

§ 220-5. Time limit for obtaining license.

§ 220-6. Stationing of policemen.

§ 220-7. Record of assignments; payment for services.

§ 220-8. Purpose; intent.

1. That certain private properties require a disproportionate amount of police service, with many calls requiring response to maintain order and public peace and to stop public disturbances. These excess calls result in less police personnel and resources available for other locations, emergencies and duties in the Township, and extraordinary police service at such properties puts a disproportionate and unfair burden upon the citizens and taxpayers of the Township.
2. That owners and/or rental agents in charge of private properties requiring excessive police attention derive a benefit from such police service.
3. That owners and/or rental agents in charge of such private properties have a responsibility to manage their properties to minimize required police service to maintain order and public peace, and to thus minimize the burden upon citizens and taxpayers of the Township and to promote the health, safety and welfare of the public in general.
4. That owners and/or rental agents in charge of such private properties can minimize required police service to maintain order, public peace and to stop public disturbances by diligent and strict management and regulation of their properties.
5. That assessment of costs as provided in this article is reasonable and will have a deterrent effect and encourage more responsible management of such properties. It is not the intent of this article to discourage or suppress requests for police service, but rather to encourage and stimulate diligent and strict management and regulation of private property by owners and/or rental agents in charge.

§ 220-9. Definitions.

OWNER -- A person, persons, corporation or other entity who is (are) the comprising record owner or owners of any land or building.

POLICE SERVICE COST -- An amount fixed by the Township Commissioners to cover estimated compensation of officers for amount of time normally spent in responding to a call or otherwise maintaining order and public peace, appropriate administrative costs, medical treatment to injured officers and the cost of repairing damaged Township equipment or property. This amount shall be fixed from time to time by resolution and shall be based upon an average cost for a typical police response.

PRIVATE PROPERTY -- Any land or building, including single and multifamily dwellings and commercial and industrial buildings, not owned by a public entity.

PUBLIC DISTURBANCES -- Any party, gathering, event or disturbance involving disorderly conduct as described by the Pennsylvania Statutes.

PUBLIC ENTITY -- Any Federal, State or Local Government or School District or agency or authority created and organized thereby.

§ 220-10. Payment of costs; excluded responses.

§ 220-11. Notice to owner and/or rental agent.

§ 220-12. Billing.

§ 220-13. Failure to pay.

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of York: Art. I, 12-31-1992 as Ch. 1, Part II, of the 1992 Code of Ordinances. Amendments noted where applicable.]

Police Pension Plan -- See Ch. 50, Art. I.
Police Pension Advisory Board -- See Ch. 61.

§ 59-1. Request for additional police service.

§ 59-2. Cost of additional service.

§ 59-3. Estimate of cost; payment.

§ 69-21. Policy established.

§ 69-22. Statutory authority; contract.

§ 69-23. Compensation policy; trust fund.

§ 69-24. Assignments.

§ 69-25. Contract with private entities; information required.

§ 69-26. Payment for extra-duty assignments.

§ 69-27. Administrative fee. [Amended 11-15-1999 by Ord. No. 99-27]

1. An administrative fee of 11.5% of the hourly rate shall be added and remitted to the Township of North Brunswick to cover the additional cost of both time and materials expended in the administration of payment to police officers for extra duty assignments. Use of a police car shall be charged at $4 per hour and remitted to the township with all other charges.
2. The North Brunswick Policeman's Benevolent Association (PBA) will negotiate the rate of pay for each off-duty contract with the vendor and will certify the rate to the Chief Financial Officer. The administrative charge will be in addition to the negotiated rate. All off-duty contracts negotiated by the North Brunswick PBA will be submitted to the Township Council of the Township of North Brunswick for review prior to execution between the North Brunswick PBA and the vendor. The PBA designee will perform administrative duties, including receiving off-duty assignments from vendors, posting and filling assignments, billing vendors and collecting from vendors and bringing deposits to the financial office.

§ 69-28. Insurance.

§ 69-29. Emergencies; termination of assignments; payment due.

§ 69-30. Indemnification.

§ 93-15. Employment of off-duty police officers. [Added 5-10-1990 by Ord. No. 17-90]

1. Any person or entity desiring to retain the services of police officers of the Township of Lacey for off-duty police-related activities shall be required to enter into a contract with the Township of Lacey. Said contract shall include but not be limited to the nature of duties to be performed, the location of said duties, the date and hours of service, the rate of payment for services of the officers, administrative fees to the Township of Lacey and fees for the use of township-owned equipment. Except in the case of public or quasi-public agencies, the Chief of Police shall require the payment of 100% of the estimated amount due the township for the assignment of such off-duty officer or officers from the person or entity requesting such assignment, in advance of providing such officer or officers. The Chief of Police is hereby empowered to execute a contract for off-duty police-related activities on behalf of the township in accordance with this Article.
2. The Chief of Police shall be responsible for the assignment of all off-duty police-related activities and the billing of all compensation due the township. The Chief of Police shall be authorized to designate other members of the Police Department as needed to assist him in the assignment of off-duty police-related activities.
3. All persons or entities shall be required to make all payments for off-duty assignments payable to the Township of Lacey to the Chief Financial Officer of the Township of Lacey. The rate of payment for the officers shall be established by multiplying the actual hourly compensation payable by the township to such officer or officers as a result of such assignment by the number of hours or fractions thereof actually worked or to be worked by such officer or officers. Such sum shall then be multiplied by 1.33 so as to arrive at the total of the rate of payment for the officers due to the township for such off-duty assignment.
4. Each person or entity who shall employ off-duty police officers pursuant to this section shall be responsible for maintaining his, hers or its own insurance coverage. Said insurance coverage shall include but not be limited to general liability and automobile liability and shall name the Township of Lacey as an additional insured. In addition, such policy shall provide for a minimum coverage of $1,000,000 for any one claim or $2,000,000 for any aggregate claims. Proof of said insurance coverage shall be provided to the Township of Lacey prior to the assignment of any off-duty police officers to said person or entity. The person or entity shall provide for the aforementioned for any and all officers, vehicles and/or equipment that is utilized in the off-duty assignment. [Amended 6-14-1990; 7-11-1996 by Ord. No. 96-36]
5. The Chief of Police or his or her designee shall have the authority to order any police officer engaged in off-duty assignments within the Township of Lacey to respond to an emergency situation within the Township of Lacey. The Chief of Police or his or her designee shall also have the right to order any off-duty assignment to be terminated whenever said assignment creates an unacceptable risk to the health, safety and welfare of the off-duty officer and/or the citizens of the Township of Lacey. In the event that a police officer is assigned to an emergency situation, the Police Chief or his or her designee shall make note of said emergency situation, as well as the time said officer was removed from said off-duty assignment. In any situation where an off-duty police officer is called to an emergency situation, said person or entity shall not be responsible for the payment of the officer's hourly rate, administrative fee or any other fees to the Township of Lacey until such time as said police officer and/or equipment returns to the assignment with the off-duty employer. [Amended 7-11-1996 by Ord. No. 96-36]
6. Any person or entity requesting the services of off-duty police officers shall agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Township of Lacey for any and all claims and damages which may arise from the off-duty police officer's employment by said person or entity. [Amended 6-14-1990]

§ 87-9. Off-duty employment. [Added 12-22-1994 by Ord. No. MC-3059]

1. Definitions. As used in this section the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

EMPLOYMENT -- The provision of a service, whether or not in exchange for a fee or other service. "Employment" does not include volunteer charity work.

EXTRA-DUTY EMPLOYMENT -- Any employment that is conditioned on the actual or potential use of law enforcement powers by the police officer employee.

REGULAR OFF-DUTY EMPLOYMENT -- Any employment that will not require the use or potential use of law enforcement powers by the off-duty employee.

2. Procedures. There are two types of off-duty employment in which an employee may engage:

(1) Regular off-duty employment. Employees may engage in off-duty employment that meets the following criteria:

(a) Employment of a nonpolice nature in which vested police powers are not a condition of employment, the work provides no real or implied law enforcement service to the employer and is not performed during assigned hours of duty.

(b) Employment that presents no potential conflict of interest between their duties as a police officer and their duties for their secondary employer. Some examples of employment representing a conflict of interest are:

[1] As a process server, repossessor or bill collector, towing of vehicles, or any other employment in which police authority might tend to be used to collect money or merchandise for private purposes.

[2] Personnel investigations for the private sector or any employment which might require the police officer to have access to police information, files, records or services as a condition of employment.

[3] In police uniform in the performance of tasks other than that of a police nature.

[4] Which assists (in any manner) the case preparation for the defense in any criminal or civil action or proceeding.

[5] For a business or labor group that is on strike.

[6] In occupations that are regulated by or that must be licensed through the Police Department or its civilian board.

(c) Employment that does not constitute a threat to the status or dignity of the police as a professional occupation. Examples of employment presenting a threat to the status or dignity of the police profession are:

[1] Establishments which sell pornographic books, magazines, sexual devices or videos or that otherwise provide entertainment or services of a sexual nature.

[2] Any employment involving the sale, manufacture or transport of alcoholic beverages as the principal business.

[3] Any gambling establishment not exempted by law.

(2) Extra-duty employment. Police officers may engage in extra-duty employment as follows:

(a) Where a government, profit-making or not-for-profit entity has a contract agreement with the City of Camden for police officers in uniform who are able to exercise their police duties.

(b) Types of extra-duty services which may be considered for contracting are:

[1] Traffic control and pedestrian safety.

[2] Crowd control.

[3] Security and protection of life and property.

[4] Routine law enforcement for public authorities.

[5] Plainclothes assignments.

(3) Limitations on regular off-duty employment and extra-duty employment are as follows:

(a) In order to be eligible for off-duty employment, a police employee must be in good standing with the Department. Continued departmental approval of a police employee's off-duty employment is contingent on such good standing.

(b) Those officers who have not completed their probationary period, or who are on medical or other leave due to sickness, temporary disability or an on-duty injury, suspended for disciplinary reasons or leave of absence except for approved administrative leave, shall not be eligible to engage in regular or extra-duty employment.

(c) Prior to obtaining off-duty employment, a police employee shall comply with departmental procedures for granting approval of such employment or registration for extra-duty employment.

(d) A police officer may work a maximum of 36 hours of off-duty regular or extra-duty employment or a total of 76 hours in combination with regular duty in each calendar week.

(e) Work hours for all off-duty employment must be scheduled in a manner that does not conflict or interfere with the police employee's performance of duty.

(f) A police officer engaged in any off-duty employment is subject to call-out in case of emergency and may be expected to leave his off-duty or extra-duty employment in such situations.

(g) Permission for a police employee to engage in outside employment may be revoked where it is determined pursuant to departmental procedure that such outside employment is not in the best interests of the Department.

3. All persons wishing to utilize extra-duty City of Camden police officers as security guards must enter into a contract with the city covering the terms of the employment. The contract shall be on a form prepared and approved by the City Attorney and shall include the following:

(1) A flat hourly rate to be paid by the party seeking services.

(2) The method and means for dealing with liability issues and insurance and worker's compensation.

(3) A provision that establishes that the city cannot guarantee the availability of officers or the services of any particular officer for security guard assignments.

4. The initial flat hourly rate shall be $25 consisting of a twenty-dollar compensation for services and a five-dollar administrative charge to compensate the city for the costs incurred by it in maintaining and administering this program. The Chief of Police may increase or decrease the hourly rate to reflect changing conditions or costs of administering this program. Notice of the flat hourly rate and any regulation issued by the Chief of Police changing thereto shall be filed in the office of the City Clerk.
5. The Chief of Police shall make rules and regulations concerning the operation of the program. When formulating these rules and regulations, the Chief shall consider the following:

(1) The effect of hours worked on outside employment on the fitness of the Department as a whole.

(2) The fair distribution of the opportunities available among the members of the Department.

(3) Whether furnishing security services to a particular person or entity would impair the Department's law enforcement efforts or create an adverse public perception of the propriety of these activities.

(4) Whether such employment would create a conflict of interest on the part of the officer or the Department or the appearance of a conflict of interest.

(5) The need for supervision of the members of the Department so employed.

6. No person shall solicit for the employment of the City of Camden police officers as security guards within the city. With the exception of the persons assigned by the Business Administrator, the City Attorney or the Chief of Police to the program, no person shall negotiate any contract or agreement concerning the employment of members of the City of Camden Police Department within the city. Any person violating this section shall be subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000, six months imprisonment or 90 days community service.