NCJ Number
169709
Journal
Telemasp Bulletin Volume: 2 Issue: 10 Dated: (January 1996) Pages: complete issue
Date Published
1994
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This bulletin assesses what is occurring in Texas law enforcement agencies regarding off-duty employment of sworn personnel.
Abstract
Questionnaires were sent to a sample chosen from all public law enforcement agencies in Texas. Of the 39 agencies completing usable questionnaires, 32 were municipal police departments, 6 sheriffs' departments, and 1 State agency. Of the 39 responding agencies, 100 percent permitted their officers to work off-duty jobs, security-related or otherwise. An average of 8 percent of the officers in the responding agencies held non-security-related employment, and an average of 64 percent held security-related employment while off-duty. Sheriffs' departments reported a higher percentage of their officers working off-duty than municipal agencies. In part, this may be due to the differences in salary ranges between county and municipal agencies. Typically, deputies in sheriff's departments are not paid as well as police officers in municipal agencies. Most agencies regulate the location of off-duty employment, use of agency property, number of hours worked, wages, and off-duty job assignments. Most likely, most officers work other jobs as a matter of economic necessity rather than for pleasure. Outside employment of off- duty police officers will remain a viable means for officers to supplement their income and provide a heightened degree of security.