Photo: Getty Images North America
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Boston City Council President Ed Flynn has requested a meeting with Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox over what he calls "forced overtime."
"Recently, at least one Boston police officer was ordered to work 24 hours straight," Flynn said in a statement Monday. "Working 24 hours without time off for rest is not only unhealthy for the police officers and their families, it is also harmful to the residents and our neighborhoods. It is also illegal to work that many hours without needed rest. Mistakes are made when a police officer is sleep-deprived."
Flynn said he had a conversation with Cox last year where the commissioner assured him the personnel issue would not happen again.
"However, this recent incident is confirmation that we have a significant problem in the department with mandatory overtime," Flynn said. "Over the last six years, I have consistently advocated for the hiring of at least 300 police officers every year for the next ten years due to forced overtime, overstretched resources, transfers out of the department, and retirements."
In addition to requesting an immediate meeting with Commissioner Cox, Flynn said he will file a hearing order on the situation during the next city council meeting on July 19.
The Boston Police Patrolmen's Association tweeted Monday, "Thank you, @EdforBoston. One triple tour is one too many. NOBODY should be working 24-straight-hours. Waiving the 90-hour-rule is an abuse of power. Our officers are constantly being ordered to work 16-hour-shifts throughout the entire summer. It’s unacceptable and dangerous.
When reached for comment, the Boston Police Department said, "No officers were ordered to work 24 hours. Friday evening, officers were offered overtime to support a district that was short-handed. For a few officers who volunteered, this meant that in this instance, they were approved to work more than the allowable 18 hours in one day.
"Officer wellness is fundamental for public safety, so we continue to prioritize taking steps to fill vacancies on the sworn and civilian side, and to boost our numbers in order to meet minimum staffing levels and to ensure that officers and their families can have the rest and health they deserve and need. We currently have a recruit class going through the academy and are actively working to recruit officers, and we appreciate help in spreading the word about opportunities to join the Boston Police Department.
"To support public safety, when districts are in need of additional resources they have the option to request personnel from other districts or citywide units when they are available, or to utilize mutual aid agreements in place with the State and other surrounding Departments. We are carefully reviewing any situations of individual officers working untenable hours and believe the cap on hours is an important protection for officer health and for public safety."
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App | TikTok