On a recent afternoon, an officer stood on paid duty directly outside police headquarters on College St. while a construction crew refurbished the city-owned building's front steps. A worker said he had to hire the officer for a minimum of seven hours. At $65 an hour, plus related fees, that's a paid duty bill of more than $500 sent to the taxpayer. Another of the crew teased the officer for wearing a balaclava with the temperature above zero. "It's always cold when you're doing nothing," the worker said.
A retired police sergeant was more blunt in his assessment of what he calls a "cash cow" for Toronto cops: "There are times when you need that police expertise. But standing over a hole in the road? Like, can we get you a couch and a free cup of coffee, too? There has to be a better system."
The Star spoke to several officers working paid duty around the city. Many declined to comment. All refused to give their names.
When asked if $65 an hour was a waste of taxpayer money, a paid duty cop standing near a city work crew on Bay St. shrugged and spread his arms wide, saying "No comment" through a mouthful of breakfast sandwich.
Several officers said they do not decide when and where paid duty is needed, that city rules require it as a condition of construction and event permits.
Another, interviewed while nursing a Tim Hortons double-double on Adelaide St., said use of paid duty is sometimes wasteful and thinks lawmakers should fix the problem. "If there was a change, I would agree," he said.
Most paid duty requests originate from private entities, such as event organizers wanting crowd control, movie production companies required by the city to have police oversight of special effects, and funeral planners. The police force also maintains a fleet of 25 taxpayer-purchased cruisers – once used for real police work – for the sole purpose of renting them to bereaved families wanting funeral escorts.
But many paid duty requests come from entities spending taxpayer dollars. While it is difficult to determine exactly how much these off-duty officers have drained from the public purse, the Star has found taxpayers have been billed an estimated $9 million for paid duty on city infrastructure projects and special events since 2007.
To reach the reporters, call 416-869-4282
