LISA MARCHESONI, Senior Writer
Posted: Sunday, March 1, 2009 6:28 am

Budget restraints are forcing Murfreesboro Police to send officers home after spending a day in court rather than paying overtime and working their shift, said Police Chief Glenn Chrisman.

Chrisman budgeted $825,000 for overtime in the present budget with $238,197.64 remaining as of Feb. 1 with five more months in the fiscal year.

“We are trying to limit it (overtime) when we can with the budget and concerns we all have,” Chrisman said. “We are trying to save money where we can. We are not leaving the city uncovered and we are not leaving the city unprotected.”

In La Vergne, Mayor Ronnie Erwin changed the 45 patrol officers’ work schedule from 10 hours a day four days a week to 12 hours a day three days a week to help curb overtime.

“It actually doubles patrolmen,” Erwin said. “That’s the key. Saving the overtime also helps.”

Instead of having three or four officers per shift, La Vergne now has seven to nine officers per shift. Because of the length of shift, officers have more time to do paperwork without taking overtime.

“I’m pretty pleased with the way it’s working out having more patrolmen on the street,” Erwin said. “Without costing the taxpayers extra money, it’s a pretty good deal.”

Like Murfreesboro, La Vergne has spent about three-fourths of its $178,000 for overtime. Officers attending court account for some of the overtime.

“Court is the one thing we can’t stop,” Erwin said.

Chrisman said he too could not control the amount of time an officer spends in city, state or federal court or grand jury.

“When officers are requested, they have to be there,” Chrisman said.

Allowing the officer to go home after spending a day in court after their shift is also a matter of safety, the chief said.

Officers who work the midnight shift from 9:45 p.m. to 6 a.m. the next day have a two-hour layover before General Sessions Court begins. They may be in court until noon or later. With that little break, they might be fatigued if they return to court during their regular shift.

They might not be at peak performance when they’re out in the field dealing with dangerous people, the chief said.

When investigating major crimes, some detectives and vice detectives who follow drug offenses may work a straight 24 hours, he said, adding overtime must remain fluid.

As the city enters the next fiscal year, Murfreesboro officials don’t yet know how much funding they can expect from the state of Tennessee.

City Manager Roger Haley advised department heads to plan for reductions.

“Job 1 for us is to make cuts where we don’t lose positions,” Chrisman said, adding he might have to cut overtime to keep the jobs. “Americans are having to tighten their belts and we are no different.”

The chief doesn’t expect the cuts to affect the quality of service.

“If officers spend a great deal of time in court, we will flex out the midnight shifts,” the chief said. “An officer can’t work 24 hours a day. If you’re up all night and have court all day, you have to rest sometime.”

One of the reductions already occurred with the hiring freeze of 18 officers from January through July. That also saves money for training, equipment, vehicles, uniforms and benefits.

“If it gets serious enough, Mr. Haley said nothing is off the table,” Chrisman said.

He doesn’t expect officers to receive step raises or increases in longevity pay.

“So far there’s been no talk of furloughs,” Chrisman said. “So far, there’s been not talk of cutting pay.”

Chrisman credited the Mayor and City Council with adding police officers and vehicles in past years to extend services of the police department.

“We put 34 new police officers to work last year,” Chrisman said. “We purchased 41 vehicles last year, including patrol cars and vehicles for the Criminal Investigations Division and administration.”

The council and management staff supported growth, allowing the police department to keep up in previous years.

“Thankfully, we’re in a strong position,” the chief said.

Haley and his assistant Rob Lyons are carefully monitoring the sales tax revenue that contributes to city funding.

“The challenge for all of us is to do more with less and more with limited resources and we’re up to that task,” Chrisman said.

Lisa Marchesoni may be reached at 869-0814 or at lmarchesoni@mufreesboropost.com.