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Main Page Paxton PD cuts officers because of new law
(Click here to view the original thread on the MassCops Message Board)

Posted by: PBC FL Cop

Town cuts officers because of new law
Worcester T&G
By Richard J. Hafey CORRESPONDENT

PAXTON— Because of the McNamara Bill’s requirement for insurance for part-time officers, Police Chief Robert R. Desrosiers will eliminate Paxton’s five part-time officers from next year’s budget.

Call Firefighter Martin H. McNamara IV of Clinton was killed fighting a fire in Lancaster. His death resulted in legislation that provided an annuity to his family that was later expanded to require a death benefit or annuity of $500,000 to all volunteer or call firefighters, police and EMTs.

Chief Desrosiers said the town would be required to self-insure the officers or pay $2,000 for insurance for each. The full-time officers, he said, are covered under the Worcester County Retirement System.

“Our budget (for part-time officers) is only $12,000,” he said, “leaving me with $2,000 for them. It’s financially irresponsible to keep them. It’s unfortunate after all their years of service.”

He said the change would not affect the department’s policy of two-man coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week, which he said the department is able to maintain 90 percent of the time. He also said he does not plan to ask for additional full-time officers to fill the gap.

He said it should be possible to cover any needed overtime from the part-time officers’ uniform allowances. He said that he has discussed the change with the part-time officers during union negotiations.

Frederick T. Goodrich, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, said yesterday the possibility of eliminating part-timers has been discussed for several years.

“We’ve always been supportive of the Police Department,” he said, “and we are doing this with difficulty.” He said Chief Desrosiers’ budget will increase “an insignificant” $10,000 to handle the change. “It is cost-effective and gives us more professional coverage over weekends.”

He said using part-timers has not always been efficient because they usually have other jobs that could interfere with their availability.

The department’s complement includes the chief, two sergeants, a detective/patrolman and five patrolmen, in addition to the five part-timers.

What a slap in the face to those part-time officers, who risked their lives for this agency for so many years!!!!

Posted by: BlackOps

Unreal! The five part-time guys up there are great cops. Sorry guys, P15

Posted by: screamineagle

I am not up on This bill, but if the partimers already have insurance from their full time job, will that cover it? Or will more towns be getting rid of part timers?

Posted by: irish937

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladderman508

I am not up on This bill, but if the partimers already have insurance from their full time job, will that cover it? Or will more towns be getting rid of part timers?

It does not matter if they have insurance from their full-time job. Marty McNamara was a Call Firefighter in Lancaster. He was killed during a house fire in 2003. They have been pushing for benefits for part-time public safety workers ever since. This only covers while they are on the job. The bill clearly makes sense, but it seems some financially strapped communities will probably follow suit. It will probably weighed on a case by case basis.

Posted by: 5-0

I think this bill had to do with me not getting a part-time job recently... It's real.

Posted by: KML161

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5-0

I think this bill had to do with me not getting a part-time job recently... It's real.

Oh do explain this one. How could this bill effect you being hired?????

Posted by: frank

Quote:

Originally Posted by KML161

Oh do explain this one. How could this bill effect you being hired?????

Did you read the article? Towns have to pay for the insurance coverage for their part time officers now.

It's not fiscally efficient (for example) when you pay a part-time officer only $13K a year and have to pay $10K for insurance, as it's a cost they didn't have to pay before.

...vs $10K on a $40K/year FT officer, for example.

Posted by: j809

This is not true for all towns. Our town is self-insured and do not fall under this ruling. Most municipalities are self-insured. Run a check on Leaps of your cruiser plate and look up the R5 screen under insurance. Most of them will say self-insured. This could affect other communities for liability as well. Our PD only hired a few part-timers with FT academy only. That has been the standard for quite a while.

Posted by: Macop

I heard a rumor that the MPTC was getting rid of the Reserve academy. I find it very hard to believe, I am just curious if anyone else heard something about it. I am sure it was just a case of one of our dispsatchers running her mouth as she does so well.

Posted by: texdep

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macop

I heard a rumor that the MPTC was getting rid of the Reserve academy. I find it very hard to believe, I am just curious if anyone else heard something about it. I am sure it was just a case of one of our dispsatchers running her mouth as she does so well.

Just a rumor!!

Posted by: mpd61

I agree it's probably a rumor, however...........................
Nothing MPTC has been doing surprises me lately!

Posted by: SPINMASS

I'm in the background phase for a reserve position, hopefully they will not be ending their program due to the new bill.

Posted by: Blueflu1

This law hurts and helps. Our town Is "Financially strapped" (Even though the FD just got a new FT firefighter, and an ambulance, the highway got a dump truck, back hoe and the town hall is doing renovations, not to mention the new 3 million dollar library). Well, our town isnt filling most overtime, leaving one guy on alone alot. They are trying to heavily rely on part timers to save money. Our part timers are poorly trained and have no clue. We confronted the town and said that they were a liablility to us unless they were better trained. Their response to us was "Its a risk we are willing to take". This law may finally get rid of the poorly trained PT officers who never work. I wouldn't mind so much if they keep better trained ones that work and know what they are doing, but can the guys who work 4 times a year.

Posted by: bozco

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueflu1

This law hurts and helps. Our town Is "Financially strapped" (Even though the FD just got a new FT firefighter, and an ambulance, the highway got a dump truck, back hoe and the town hall is doing renovations, not to mention the new 3 million dollar library). Well, our town isnt filling most overtime, leaving one guy on alone alot. They are trying to heavily rely on part timers to save money. Our part timers are poorly trained and have no clue. We confronted the town and said that they were a liablility to us unless they were better trained. Their response to us was "Its a risk we are willing to take". This law may finally get rid of the poorly trained PT officers who never work. I wouldn't mind so much if they keep better trained ones that work and know what they are doing, but can the guys who work 4 times a year.

Blueflu1 what department do you work for. Because that sounds an awful lot like one I know.

Posted by: BPD110

Quote:

Originally Posted by bozco

Blueflu1 what department do you work for. Because that sounds an awful lot like one I know.

Smells like the Boro

Posted by: j809

Quote:

Originally Posted by BPD110

Smells like the Boro

Yeah it does!!

Posted by: Blueflu1

you are correct!!!!! The fine boro of Box.

Posted by: j809

Or the new future name of LITTLE HARD BOX

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