Hire an Off-Duty Officer
There is always a high demand for hiring off-duty officers, often surpassing the available number of officers seeking secondary employment. Given this high demand, many employers choose to offer rates exceeding the standard minimum; however, it's crucial for employers to understand that BPD cannot guarantee fulfillment of requests to hire off-duty officers. Officers decide to engage in secondary employment voluntarily, and aren't obligated to do so regardless of the offered pay rate.
Businesses or individuals interested in hiring BPD officers in a secondary employment capacity should note the following requirements of employers:
- Provide full liability coverage for both BPD and officer(s)
- Job status
- Provide orders and instructions
The Batesville Police Department does not automatically provide workers' compensation or general liability coverage for off-duty employment. As such, workers' compensation and general liability coverage for off-duty officers is decided on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the department's policies and procedures. The Batesville Police Department cannot guarantee that a request for off-duty services will be filled and/or covered. Any arrangements made with members of the BPD are done so in good faith. Making advanced arrangements for off-duty employment is highly recommended.
The legal authority vested in a sworn law enforcement member working off-duty employment is limited to the enforcement of federal law, state statutes and municipal ordinances. Officers cannot use police authority to enforce a private employer's policies and regulations.
Prohibited Off-Duty Employment:
- Any off-duty employment, wherein the nature of the business or activities performed by members, could conflict the the duties of a law enforcement officer
- Any off-duty employment, in which the nature of the business or activities performed by members, could degrade the employed individual, organization, or other members of the City of Batesville and/or the Batesville Police Department
- Any off-duty employment outside the city limits of the City of Batesville in which the accepted Batesville Police Department uniform is worn without prior approval from the Chief of Police or his designee.
- Any off-duty employment in which the officer is requested to wear "plain clothes" without prior approval from the Chief of Police or his designee
Other Important Requirements:
- Minimum of four (4) hours of employment
- 72-Hour Cancellation Policy (see policy below)
- Per department policy, work must be conducted in the city limits of Batesville, AR
- All secondary employment will be presented to the Chief of Police for approval
Current Minimum Hourly Rates:
- Regular rate = $30/hour, minimum of 4 hours.
- Holiday rate = $50/hour, minimum of 4 hours.*
- Emergency rate = Additional $25/hour**
Once an assignment has been approved and scheduled, employers canceling or reducing assignments are required to pay the full regular hourly rate for the first 24 hours of the original assignment. Employers canceling or reducing assignments within 72 hours of the start of the assignment are required to pay the greater of officer hours worked or the agency minimum hours at the Emergency Hourly Rate
