LOGANSPORT — Because of past cost-saving measures, the Logansport Police Department looks to be in the clear of any budget cuts for 2012.
The city council had considered further reducing the overtime pay line item, but Chief A.J. Rozzi convinced them that $25,000 was “pretty lean.”
Last year, the council knocked down overtime pay by $50,000. Rozzi said another hit could create issues with managing comp time for the officers.
Councilman Scott Kraud questioned whether the combination of 12-hour shifts and LPD recently becoming fully staffed after hiring three new officers would allow for further reduction in overtime.
The chief said he uses the balance of his overtime budget to buy back hours officers accumulate through mandatory police training and court and deposition appearances. This year, he is on pace to spend about $20,000, which would leave him with roughly $5,000 for comp time.
That amount is less than what Rozzi had in the past, but what he had working on his side is the payoff from his decision to switch the patrol division to 12-hour shifts.
“It made the department capable of working with less manpower,” he said.
Rozzi can now manage overtime and comp time more effectively. He said this year overtime has been used primarily for working big cases like the recent home invasion armed robbery rather than covering the shifts of officers on vacation. It also allows for officers to burn up their comp time by taking days off instead of getting paid.
When short of manpower, Rozzi and Assistant Chief Mike Morphett have been filling open positions as a way to avoid paying overtime.
Rozzi also has the detectives covering shifts as patrolman.
Councilman Chuck LaDow credited Rozzi for his efforts to save taxpayer dollars by finding ways to operate his department more efficiently.
“We appreciate what you’ve done with your shift changes,” LaDow said. “You saved us a lot of headaches by solving the problem by being the leader of the police department.”
The council decided to leave the overtime pay at $25,000.
• Kevin Lilly is news editor of the Pharos-Tribune. He can be reached at 574-732-5117 or kevin.lilly@pharostribune.com.
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