Crime & Safety

Off-Duty Salisbury Cops To Get Policy for Private Work

Salisbury Township police officers who want to work for private businesses in their off-hours will have to comply with a new policy that is being drafted.

Salisbury Township police officers who want to work for private businesses in their off-hours will have to comply with a new policy that is being drafted, according to Police Chief Alan Stiles.

A labor attorney and the police union are reviewing the draft, which deals with compensation and other issues, Stiles told the board of commissioners at a recent meeting.

Stiles said the use of his department's officers for private, off-duty work became an issue when South Mall officials wanted to hire them after several mall shootings made national headlines.

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"A lot of businesses regularly make use of additional police to patrol these areas," Stiles said. "We don't have enough officers.''

Stiles said other municipalities such as South Whitehall and Whitehall use off-duty police officers to patrol malls.

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Stiles said the township does not have a policy to authorize use of its police officers for off-duty work.

Township Solicitor John Ashley said the township did not have the authority to dictate the work a police officer performs in his off-hours except if he's representing Salisbury Township and is wearing his uniform.

Ashley said many businesses want to hire a uniformed police officer.

"It's like if you see a police car on the side of the road, you slow down. At least I do," he said

A commissioner wondered if an officer's off-duty work increases the pension the township has to pay after Township Manager Township Manager Randy Soriano said the work is considered overtime.


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