Curmudgeon's Corner

Presidential Visit: Follow-On

Posted by Al Campbell on Aug. 16, 2010

Germantown, Police, Political

As follow-on to this morning’s post, I wrote to Chief Pete Hoell about the costs for the Germantown Police Department in time and money for the Presidential detail (involving President Obama’s visit to the ZBB organization in Menomonee Falls) and his response is below:

“Here is the breakdown of the manpower we used for the dignitary detail.

15 officers
2 dispatchers

7 officers were on regular duty time.  Three road officers, two detectives, CPO, and a Lieutenant.
8 officers were on OT.

6 officers Earned 2.5 hours of OT for a total of 15 hours
1 officer was a shift extension (second shifter) each earning 4.5 hours.
1 LT worked 2.5 hours

All assignments were a functional piece to this detail in order to meet the requests of the Secret Service. 

Most of the officer[s] so far who earned overtime are taking compensatory time instead of pay. 

A lieutenant was assigned to lead this detail.  There were two meetings with all the agencies involved and a couple hours planning in-house. 

There are numerous pay grades to figure out actual cost; however we do not receive compensation for this detail.  The costs are absorbed.  My guess would be in the area of $2500 to $3000. “

This is one small example of the costs (monetary and time) involved when a President pays a visit. 

On a side note, I have had many interactions with the Chief and with various officers; I have no clue as to the political leanings of any of them.  The even-handed approach that you see in Chief Hoell’s response above is indicative of the non-political manner in which this department conducts itself on an official basis.  That speaks well for them and their discipline from my perspective.