West Palm Beach’s police union believes they’ve uncovered new evidence that could exonerate seven police officers suspended for their alleged involvement in a “double-dipping” scheme.
The officers were placed on paid leave last October after being accused of working overtime details during their regular scheduled shifts, effectively getting paid twice for the same hours.
Union claims new evidence exonerates suspended West Palm Beach officers
Documents obtained by the union, shown to WPTV reporter Ethan Stein, show the police department said captains, like those suspended, were able to flex their schedule to work overtime details at other times.
“Command Staff positions are subject to flex scheduling and/or hours at the direction and authority of the Chief of Police,” reads the 12-page document in response to a 2020 city internal audit finding officers were being overpaid back during Fiscal Year 19. “Management submits that the identified employees (as well as the entire Command Staff) routinely work more than 40 hours per week without “hourly compensation…The identified ‘overlapping’ hours would only be relevant if these staffers worked standard hours; they do not and their ability to work some overtime details at unusual hours is authorized by the Chief of Police.”…