OFF DUTY POLICY REVISED---MIAMI HERALD

[JAVI ORTIZ]

Miami police clarify off-duty policy
BY DAVID OVALLE
dovalle@MiamiHerald.com
The Miami Police Department said Monday it is considering using an automated system to inform people who have hired off-duty officers for security when the cops are unavailable for the job. That could include phone calls or e-mails.

The department was criticized earlier this month because no off-duty officers made it to a graduation-birthday party at the Polish American Club even though the party organizer paid a $36 surcharge two people were shot dead and four were wounded that night.

After the June 17 shooting, the department stressed it has never guaranteed officer availability, and said the event organizer was supposed to call police 24 hours in advance to check on their status.

The event's organizer, Diane Johnson, whose daughter was celebrating her high school graduation, says she was never told to call and had been promised the officers.

''Clearly there was a breakdown of communication between the Miami Police Department and the organizer of the party at the Polish American Club,'' said Lt. Bill Schwartz, a department spokesman.

While police consider whether to implement an automated system, the department will begin clarifying its off-duty policy, Schwartz said.

Now included in the application: ``Every effort will be made to provide police officers for your event. If your job is not staffed, we will attempt to contact you. However, you must contact special events officers at 305-579-6440 twenty-four hours prior to your event for confirmation of police officers.''

The policy of calling 24 hours in advance had been previously unwritten, Schwartz said.

Johnson has hired an attorney, Roderick Vereen, who called the added language a ``day later and a dollar short.''

''This has no effect on my client's case against the city if and when she sues,'' Vereen said Monday.

The department also will add an extra page to the application form that details officers' responsibilities during off-duty events, including that they cannot patrol inside the venue.

''We do not go inside these clubs,'' Schwartz said. ``We're not going to be breaking up people who are dancing too close together.''

This is a stupid policy. IF u don't want the officers to go inside then do not let him work the job. Being in the parking as standby officers for when the shit hit the fan inside does no good for the people seeking secured for the event and officers working there. The next shooting we will be review the policy of being in the parking lot. Let's end this once and for all.

Once again the Timoney led command staff comes up with a hastily conceived policy to address a challenge that demands an incisive and serious assessment.

To prohibit officers from walking within the premises being secured, obviates the purpose for the officers' off-duty presence. The intent and purpose of hiring off-duty police officers is to provide a modicum of security for attendees. It is ludicrous and an insults the intelligence of most police officers and citizens to say that officers aren't there to prevent couples from dancing too closely. This posture is as ridiculous as the off-the-cuff remarks emitted by Timoney subsequent to the tragedy: officers are limited to protecting the parking lot.

Of all police agencies in Miami-Dade County, Miami has a long and exceptional history of providing off-duty police services. You [Miami Police officers] know well that your functions at these off-duty events is to protect people, and your presence provides that visual deterrence. If not, why have officers deployed at off-duty jobs? The same off-duty service philosophy that applies at U-M games, triple AAA, Calle Ocho and other City mandated events, apply to a party at a social club!

I totally agreed with the last post. Chief Timoney this calls for a Command decsion the citizens of Miami deserve better. You dont need a operational plan for this one.

Miami concerned citizen,u make too much sense! Sorry but undr the Irish pub chief,we cant make sense! Try back when a real chief takes over !

Once again the Timoney led command staff comes up with a hastily conceived policy to address a challenge that demands an incisive and serious assessment.

To prohibit officers from walking within the premises being secured, obviates the purpose for the officers' off-duty presence. The intent and purpose of hiring off-duty police officers is to provide a modicum of security for attendees. It is ludicrous and an insults the intelligence of most police officers and citizens to say that officers aren't there to prevent couples from dancing too closely. This posture is as ridiculous as the off-the-cuff remarks emitted by Timoney subsequent to the tragedy: officers are limited to protecting the parking lot.

Of all police agencies in Miami-Dade County, Miami has a long and exceptional history of providing off-duty police services. You [Miami Police officers] know well that your functions at these off-duty events is to protect people, and your presence provides that visual deterrence. If not, why have officers deployed at off-duty jobs? The same off-duty service philosophy that applies at U-M games, triple AAA, Calle Ocho and other City mandated events, apply to a party at a social club!

Supoena all offduty request and you will find that the mayor's friends were never denied offduty officers. Dominguez, you messed up again. Who's in Command?

Effective immediately, we will only patrol the parking lots at AAA &amp the Orange Bowl during events. We will not enter the arena or stadium. During Calle Ocho we will only patrol surrounding streets, no more walking down 8 st..

Once again the Timoney led command staff comes up with a hastily conceived policy to address a challenge that demands an incisive and serious assessment.

To prohibit officers from walking within the premises being secured, obviates the purpose for the officers' off-duty presence. The intent and purpose of hiring off-duty police officers is to provide a modicum of security for attendees. It is ludicrous and an insults the intelligence of most police officers and citizens to say that officers aren't there to prevent couples from dancing too closely. This posture is as ridiculous as the off-the-cuff remarks emitted by Timoney subsequent to the tragedy: officers are limited to protecting the parking lot.

Of all police agencies in Miami-Dade County, Miami has a long and exceptional history of providing off-duty police services. You [Miami Police officers] know well that your functions at these off-duty events is to protect people, and your presence provides that visual deterrence. If not, why have officers deployed at off-duty jobs? The same off-duty service philosophy that applies at U-M games, triple AAA, Calle Ocho and other City mandated events, apply to a party at a social club!


LET'S NOT BE SO NARROW MINDED. OFF DUTY EMPLOYMENT AT CLUBS HAS BEEN REGULATED BY DEPARTMENT ORDERS THIS WAY FOR MANY YEARS. FOR SEVERAL REASONS. JUST TO NAME A FEW:

- THE OFFICERS PRESENCE OUTSIDE LETS EVERYONE ATTENDING
KNOW THAT POLICE ARE ON THE SCENE.
- SHOULD SOMETHING HAPPEN OUTSIDE, THE OFFICER IS PRESENT.
- SHOULD SOMETHING HAPPEN INSIDE, PATRONS KNOW WHERE
TO FIND THE OFFICER.
- BEING POSTED OUTSIDE DETERS MINGLING WITH PATRONS AND
PLACES THE OFFICER AT HIGHER STATE OF ALERTNESS.
- THE OFFICER CAN RADIO FOR ASSISTANCE ON THE WAY INTO THE
CLUB. ONCE INSIDE, COMMUNICATIONS CAN BE HAMPERED BY THE
STRUCTURE, LOUD NOISE, LOSS OF RADIO, ETC..

IT'S A GOOD POLICY. DON'T TRY TO BLAME THE POLICE FOR THE ACTIONS OF SOME THUG. IT IS INDEED A TRAGEDY, BUT THE ALTERNATIVE IS NOT TO EVEN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HIRE OFF DUTY POLICE OFFICERS. REMEMBER, OFF DUTY IS JUST WHAT IT IMPLIES. YOU'RE ASKING A POLICEMAN THAT IS OFF DUTY (ON HIS OWN TIME) TO WORK. YOU CAN NOT FORCE POLICEMEN TO WORK OFF DUTY. THEY ARE HUMAN BEINGS LIKE THE REST OF US AND ALTHOUGH SOME MAY NEED THE EXTRA EMPLOYMENT, THEY ALSO HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THIER FAMILIES AND HAVE PRIVATE TIME. BEING A PUBLIC SERVANT DOESN'T MEAN THEY SERVE CONTINUOUSLY 24/7 - 365. THEY ARE NOT ROBOTS. THERE ARE MORE REQUESTS FOR OFF DUTY POLICEMEN THAN WE CAN SHAKE A STICK AT. FACT OF THE MATTER IS, WE ARE SO UNDERSTAFFED THAT WE HAVE DIFFICULTY STAFFING PATROL, SHIFT TO SHIFT, DAY TO DAY. YOU CAN ONLY BEAT A DEAD HORSE SO LONG...

Where are the TPS reports? Didn't you get the memo?

Have we flagellated this equus ad infinitum? I think not!

Your points are all valid and on principle we agree. No one is stating that officers must be strictly confined to a post in or out of a venue. The point some of us have been trying to make, is that officers must be allowed to exercise their discretion, as to how they carry on their protective duties at an off-duty job. The essence being, an officer must be as ubiquitous [being or seeming to be everywhere] as humanly possible keeping the thugs guessing and uncertain, thus less likely to perpetrate a crime.

Similarly, no one is stating that officers must be conscripted to cover each and every off-duty job requests. Of course not, working off-duty must be is a voluntary decision. Unless, a major event that has a significant impact on the department's citywide capabilities to provide routine operational services, calls for management's prerogative in exercising the dreaded operational necessity clause. The latter being an intrinsic part of your vocation!

Have we flagellated this equus ad infinitum? I think not!

Your points are all valid and on principle we agree. No one is stating that officers must be strictly confined to a post in or out of a venue. The point some of us have been trying to make, is that officers must be allowed to exercise their discretion, as to how they carry on their protective duties at an off-duty job. The essence being, an officer must be as ubiquitous [being or seeming to be everywhere] as humanly possible keeping the thugs guessing and uncertain, thus less likely to perpetrate a crime.

Similarly, no one is stating that officers must be conscripted to cover each and every off-duty job requests. Of course not, working off-duty must be is a voluntary decision. Unless, a major event that has a significant impact on the department's citywide capabilities to provide routine operational services, calls for management's prerogative in exercising the dreaded operational necessity clause. The latter being an intrinsic part of your vocation!If your such a concerned Miamian, then don't you think you should start a crusade to oust the Chief? If not, then shut up you abhorrent a$$!

Have we flagellated this equus ad infinitum? I think not!

Your points are all valid and on principle we agree. No one is stating that officers must be strictly confined to a post in or out of a venue. The point some of us have been trying to make, is that officers must be allowed to exercise their discretion, as to how they carry on their protective duties at an off-duty job. The essence being, an officer must be as ubiquitous [being or seeming to be everywhere] as humanly possible keeping the thugs guessing and uncertain, thus less likely to perpetrate a crime.

Similarly, no one is stating that officers must be conscripted to cover each and every off-duty job requests. Of course not, working off-duty must be is a voluntary decision. Unless, a major event that has a significant impact on the department's citywide capabilities to provide routine operational services, calls for management's prerogative in exercising the dreaded operational necessity clause. The latter being an intrinsic part of your vocation!

Hey Concerned Miamian, Leave us to make these decisions, Go F**K yourself!

Surely you jest? So long as Manny Diaz and his three amigos on the commission remain intact, this jackanape is going nowhere! Remember, Diaz brought him and proclaimed him the best cop in the nation! The Miami Herald, too, has given the Irish popinjay a pass on all his blunders! So what can one voice in cyber wilderness do to extricate this great pretender?

No . . . that task is yours! It is the duty of the men and women of the Miami Police Department to let the media know that, as one poster recently typed, this man is the worse chief we've had in recent history! You are the ones seriously affected by the man's absentee leadership and questionable decisions. Particularly, allowing FF the power to effect so many ridiculous and unrealistic demands on you.

From an outsider looking, all one can do is point out the obvious!

I guess car54 has changed his moniker. I hope you die a horrible death.

So be it, I'll leave you to drown in your own sputum! You deserve T'money and BK's a$$ F_cking!

Btw, beware wishing ill upon others, for invariably it comebacks on your most loved!

And no, this is not car54!

So many opinions on the reasons for this tragedy of these 2 deaths. The bottom line is the City screwed up on there policy for notifying people for off duty requests. If you write a check to the City for surcharges prior to the event, I am sure it is assumed the officers have already been hired. Sounds like a tough case to defend. Get ready for a big settlement.

LOL this cracks me up and I hope that lady doesnt make the mistake of suing the city why would the city be responsible. I think all the sees is $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ other than that I dont see why she would sue the city if is a case of responsiblility shouldn't she sue the shooters....oh sh$t I guess there no $$$ there. Pathetic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The party organizer might not have standing, other than for a ruined party. The parents of the two homicide victims is another matter. The questions is: whether the Miami Police Department had a specific duty to protect by providing off-duty security?

LET'S NOT BE SO NARROW MINDED. OFF DUTY EMPLOYMENT AT CLUBS HAS BEEN REGULATED BY DEPARTMENT ORDERS THIS WAY FOR MANY YEARS. FOR SEVERAL REASONS. JUST TO NAME A FEW:

- THE OFFICERS PRESENCE OUTSIDE LETS EVERYONE ATTENDING
KNOW THAT POLICE ARE ON THE SCENE.
- SHOULD SOMETHING HAPPEN OUTSIDE, THE OFFICER IS PRESENT.
- SHOULD SOMETHING HAPPEN INSIDE, PATRONS KNOW WHERE
TO FIND THE OFFICER.
- BEING POSTED OUTSIDE DETERS MINGLING WITH PATRONS AND
PLACES THE OFFICER AT HIGHER STATE OF ALERTNESS.
- THE OFFICER CAN RADIO FOR ASSISTANCE ON THE WAY INTO THE
CLUB. ONCE INSIDE, COMMUNICATIONS CAN BE HAMPERED BY THE
STRUCTURE, LOUD NOISE, LOSS OF RADIO, ETC..

IT'S A GOOD POLICY. DON'T TRY TO BLAME THE POLICE FOR THE ACTIONS OF SOME THUG. IT IS INDEED A TRAGEDY, BUT THE ALTERNATIVE IS NOT TO EVEN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HIRE OFF DUTY POLICE OFFICERS. REMEMBER, OFF DUTY IS JUST WHAT IT IMPLIES. YOU'RE ASKING A POLICEMAN THAT IS OFF DUTY (ON HIS OWN TIME) TO WORK. YOU CAN NOT FORCE POLICEMEN TO WORK OFF DUTY. THEY ARE HUMAN BEINGS LIKE THE REST OF US AND ALTHOUGH SOME MAY NEED THE EXTRA EMPLOYMENT, THEY ALSO HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THIER FAMILIES AND HAVE PRIVATE TIME. BEING A PUBLIC SERVANT DOESN'T MEAN THEY SERVE CONTINUOUSLY 24/7 - 365. THEY ARE NOT ROBOTS. THERE ARE MORE REQUESTS FOR OFF DUTY POLICEMEN THAN WE CAN SHAKE A STICK AT. FACT OF THE MATTER IS, WE ARE SO UNDERSTAFFED THAT WE HAVE DIFFICULTY STAFFING PATROL, SHIFT TO SHIFT, DAY TO DAY. YOU CAN ONLY BEAT A DEAD HORSE SO LONG...


THE REASON WE STAY OUTSIDE OF THE CLUBS IS TO NOT SEE THE FELONIES GOING ON INSIDE. And if you don't see them, you don't have to enforce them. And everyone's cash register go KA-CHING.

Why was the post on off-duty officers getting cash jobs and not paying taxes deleted? Seems really strange.

No one is being narrow minded! Your point is precisely what most posters have been trying to say. POSTING THE OFFICERS AT THE ENTRACE SERVES ITS DETERRENCE OBJECTIVE AND PURPOSE!

Relegating the officers to the parking lots, to protect cars is the most asinine comment I've heard a police chief utter in 35 years in policing!

We are preaching the same gospel, just referencing the writings of different apostles!

No one is being narrow minded! Your point is precisely what most posters have been trying to say. POSTING THE OFFICERS AT THE ENTRANCE SERVES ITS DETERRENCE OBJECTIVE AND PURPOSE!

Relegating the officers to the parking lots, to protect cars is the most asinine comment I've heard a police chief utter in 35 years in policing!

We are preaching the same gospel, just referencing the writings of different apostles!

The owners of the Polish American Club are putting the blame on the wrong people. There were shootings at that club on two successive Friday nights prior to the murders. The club owners themselves were told by two supervisors that it was their responsibility, not the responsibility of whoever rents to provide security. This is usually the norm as is done with other clubs such as the PBA around the corner.

We were told by a representative of the club that the owner did not want to do that because he did not want to pay the expense of off-duty officers. I guess that $3 or $4 million is going to cost him a lot more that that three or four hundred bucks.

(Why was the post on off-duty officers getting cash jobs and not paying taxes deleted? Seems really strange) Perhaps its a pending investigation that we can not talk about[/quote]

(Why was the post on off-duty officers getting cash jobs and not paying taxes deleted? Seems really strange) Perhaps its a pending investigation that we can not talk about[/quote]there hardly any cash jobs left and 99percent of them have 1099 forms plus you have to take a 46 so try to stir the pot else where

where are the cash jobs

there are none. and the off duty track is a joke

Cash jobs are for my office people only. Get in my click or no cash for you!

it bites rocks that i will have to work sorry jobs in the city while i heard that only the selcet few that worked the mayors conf got 60+ hours of ot and left patrol out of the loop....thx off duty