The police are paid by the construction companies and I believe two are required for certain projects. There are separate issues that have been opened regarding behavior of police at these sites. You might want to join one of those conversations. Closing this issue as it seems the concern is overpayment by the city which is not happening here.

Thanks!

Here is one of the other issues referencing poor conduct by traffic officers:
http://www.seeclickfix.com/issues/67072

I do believe the extra hours let them retire early, however... at tax payer cost. Not saying this policy needs to be changed, but it is odd that they can work for another employer with less oversight.

Hey David,
That's interesting. Can you get us more information on that. That seems like an issue that we we should know about.

Police are allowed to go off on citizens if they're not on City duty, while in City uniform?

I just stopped by one of these sites and told one of the officers that with people out of work and taxes going up, lots of people are stuck in traffic and then get to the source of that and see cops chatting. (Seriously, it's amazing.) I said that people driving by see that and hear that police are a big part of the city budget, just so that they are aware. The older, bigger of the two I was talking to told me that they work for a subcontractor to the city, but then suddenly changed tone and started shouting at me INCESSANTLY, even as I walked away. He insisted that he was "sorry that" I "don't have a job, but maybe you should go GET one." Although I do have a [quite fantastic] job, this really makes me sick, his disdain for people when he works for the city. It was meant to be a civil conversation. I went back to reply to his shouted threatening remarks because I hate bullies with a passion and letting them win encourages their behavior. He continued to shout incessantly and had clearly completely lost his temper and his co-hort smiled happily. I think they were armed, are those New Haven weapons? I have to say that I am disgusted by the people who wear City uniforms at this point. But no longer for standing around idly talking.

That's disgusting. Please get a badge next time.

Why are New Haven police in uniform and armed with City-supplied weapons but doing no police-type duties while working for the utility companies? Someone from the police should be able to answer this, or someone from the City who oversees this bizarre setup. What is the purpose of them wearing uniforms and being armed on the site? They are not acting on behalf of the City nor are they helping citizens, judging by the fact that they are doing nothing to help with the associated traffic problems. Please explain, police department, enlighten us.

Whether or not the city is paying them or a contruction company, they still have a duty to protect. The companies that hire them pay the NHPD, and then the NHPD pays the police officer. Please keep in mind that while they are on duty they can still respond to calls if necessary, and in fact have caught MANY criminals while working extra duty. They will hear a call on their radio and then the criminal will blow by their extra duty work area and they as police officers who are ON DUTY can make arrests, etc.....

Also, while I don't want my tax money being wasted, they are still in harms way while they are serving extra duty. Google Duane Cunningham who shot at a police officer while the officer was working extra duty directing traffic at 2am in the morning. The police officer reacted and more than likely saved the lives of the contruction workers who were at that site that night.

Suggest closing this issue as it's over 2 years old. Please get a badge next time.

@Ben: Sorry I didn't respond!

If you FOI any of the construction invoices for street work from around the city, you'll see that the police are included as line items, so I guess we do pay for them (indirectly) when they are present at street work at least.

As to the pension/retirement:

yes, according to the police unions contract, extra-duty work buffs the pension pay of officers.

http://cityofnewhaven.com/HumanResources/pdfs/2008-2011%20Local%20530.pdf

(see under Pension "Extra-duty" and then look under "Extra Duty". In addition, while performing "Extra Duty", an officer is considered "In the Line of Duty", i.e., they are covered under all workers compensation policies and their personal effects are also coverable. Not saying any of this is WRONG, per se, just that the City of New Haven glosses over this while talking about "Extra Duty", which the Mayor has always implied costs taxpayers zero. Maybe it is a valid cost--maybe we do need sworn officers for traffic duty--but I think the system needs to be better supervised if that is the case.)