Overhaul of police paid-duty rules proposed

Toronto could save$2 million if itchanges itspolicies around when police officers are needed for off-duty worksuch asstanding guard at special events or construction sites, says thecity's auditor general.

Officers are paid$65 an hour for "paid-duty" work such as directing traffic at some busy construction sites, a rate about double their normal pay rate.

Auditor General Jeffrey Griffiths said it is important work, but said when the construction site isn't at a busy location, paying those officers is a waste of money.

"You don't need to pay an officer $65an hour to sit around at an intersection where there's little activity," he said Thursday at a meeting of the Toronto Police Services Board.

"Is it reasonable for locations in north Etobicoke or where there is not much traffic?" he said after presenting a report on the paid-duty issue.

Griffithsestimated the city paid Toronto police officers $7.8 millionin paid-duty work in 2009.

He said Toronto police are doing muchmore paid duty workthan forces in otherCanadian cities.

One of the main reasons is a bylaw thatstipulates thatany construction within 30 metres of traffic lights requires a supervisingofficer.

Griffiths has asked the city'stransportation department to review its requirements for paid duty officers particularly that bylaw which he said could save the city $2 million.

Griffiths also presented a list of 10 recommendations to the Toronto Police Services, includinglowering the $65 hourly rate and capping the number of paid off-dutyhours police officers can work.