Wanna be a Houston cop? Pays great

[pfccypret]

You know if the cops are just spending their time getting DWIs, I don't see how the overtime is a waste of tax payer money. I know my average DWI takes about 2-3 hours to fully process and upon conviction, the ticket, fees and recupement of funds make the city lots of money.

Not to mention the itty bitty added benefit of actually making the streets safer.

[one-eyed-fatman]

Originally Posted by pfccypret

You know if the cops are just spending their time getting DWIs, I don't see how the overtime is a waste of tax payer money. I know my average DWI takes about 2-3 hours to fully process and upon conviction, the ticket, fees and recupement of funds make the city lots of money.

Not to mention the itty bitty added benefit of actually making the streets safer.

I see what your talking about. But if you read the original post these guys are dragging two, three maybe four other officers into that same DWI. Does it really take that many officers on overtime pay to accomplish the arrest and convection of one DWI?

[Mike TRT]

Originally Posted by one-eyed-fatman

That was a pretty strong argument you put up there.

Ya know I went into a little store to pick up a six pack one time years ago. There was a little blond cop in there and she was pissed. Her boyfriend cop was screwing around on her. Before she went out the door she turned around and angrily said, nobody's safe tonight I'm pulling everybody over. Maybe it was all that overtime she was putting in...?

just not up for a silly arguement........

now what would you think if you were in the air traffic control tower (one of the most stressful, overworked careers) and that same little blonde was pissed off and she said, "nobody is safe, Im crashing a 747 into the ground tonight".......hows that for a waste of money, lives, news etc etc....???? maybe it was just all that overtime she worked...??

[SLCDave]

Originally Posted by retired

So, is it less expensive to hire one guy and pay him overtime or hire more and have to train him (100K), pay him (there will still be some overtime), pay for his retirement and any work related injuries. Difficult choice for the brass.

The other thing the complainers aren't taking into consideration, if you have one guy making $100,000, or 2 guys making $50,000 each, the income tax revenue brought in is higher on the one individual making more money. They aren't complaining about that, though. They just think everyone should make the same amount, or that nobody should make that much money in a year. Sounds pretty communistic to me. If the officer can perform his or her duty working that much overtime, God bless them.

[one-eyed-fatman]

If the officer can perform his or her duty working that much overtime, God bless them.

But if you read the original post these guys are dragging two, three maybe four other officers into that same DWI. Does it really take that many officers on overtime pay to accomplish the arrest and convection of one DWI?


I figured I better highlight this part since everybody keeps missing it.

[Mike TRT]

this is like me asking "why does it take 3 doctors, 5 nurses and 10 other assistants to do some medical procedure?" I dont know, I dont do that for a living.......why do others question and "think" they know what the fck is going on as a police officer? why the police? why dont you question why it takes 1 guy to dig a hole and 4 others to stand around and watch? they get paid by the city too, nobody bitching about that though....???

most DUI overtime comes from court time.....the arrest is "usually" made on duty at straight time, unless its at the end of a shift, but many DUI's include over 10 court appearences and more if it goes to trial......if not on duty, court time is paid as overtime or another additional fixed amount over and above the officers salary.......

every officer that is on the scene (backup, 2 officer cars, etc) will get a subpoena to appear in court each and every time the case is called. they will get a subpoena from the state and/or get one from the defendant. I hope that helps explain it OEFM....

now, explain the public works guys wearing their orange shirts, leaning on shovels watching one guy dig a hole.....?? I understand the backup police officers, arresting anyone on the street is always dangerous, why the backup digging a hole?

[pfccypret]

+1 on Mike's

On most DWI arrests, you are going to have at least one backing car. So thats 2 officers at least. Circumstances might require more officers though, such as the drunk being a pain in the ass. Or even department policy. I've heard of departments requiring one backing officer and one supervisor at DWI arrests...so there you have three on each.

Not to mention more officers can make the arrests go faster. One officer does the BAC while the actual arresting officer starts on the arrest report or AIR.

Realistically, by myself can I handle one drunk that wants to fight? Probably...but you never know and it's always good to have a posse in case things go south. And with DWIs they can go south really fast.

[one-eyed-fatman]

Originally Posted by pfccypret

+1 on Mike's

On most DWI arrests, you are going to have at least one backing car. So thats 2 officers at least. Circumstances might require more officers though, such as the drunk being a pain in the ass. Or even department policy. I've heard of departments requiring one backing officer and one supervisor at DWI arrests...so there you have three on each.

Not to mention more officers can make the arrests go faster. One officer does the BAC while the actual arresting officer starts on the arrest report or AIR.

Realistically, by myself can I handle one drunk that wants to fight? Probably...but you never know and it's always good to have a posse in case things go south. And with DWIs they can go south really fast.

That's what I was looking for, one realistic answer to my question. Thanks.

[pfccypret]

I can't take credit. Mike said it all first, I just put my point of view on it.

[one-eyed-fatman]

You explained it in a more to the point post. But what the hell, Thanks Mike.