Case Study: Overtime Oversight and Alleged Fraud in the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD)
"After just three months into the fiscal year, MPD blew through its 2025 overtime budget."
Timework Overview
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) of Washington, D.C. has recently come under scrutiny due to significant overuse of overtime (OT) hours and alleged misconduct involving overtime fraud. The issue has triggered internal investigations, resignations, and increased public concern over financial oversight and workforce management in public safety departments.
Key Data & Findings
Overtime Usage & Budget Impact
Budgeted OT hours (2023): 235,221
Actual OT hours by Dec 28, 2023: 241,832
Excess OT: +6,600 hours
Daily OT cost (MPD): ~$189,000
Projected annual cost: Nearly $70 million
Staffing Patterns
Daily MPD OT shifts: 280
Fire & EMS OT
43 firefighters working OT at any given time
10% of on-duty firefighters are earning OT
The Scandal: Alleged Overtime Fraud
A police lieutenant resigned amid an investigation.
Four officers are currently under investigation for alleged overtime theft.
Some officers reportedly doubled or tripled their base salary through OT.
There’s evidence that MPD’s own limits on maximum working hours were ignored or violated.
Timework - Uncovering Risks & Consequences
Financial Risks
The overuse and potential abuse of OT pose a major budgetary risk.
Funds diverted to excessive OT could limit investment in hiring, training, or equipment.
Operational Concerns
Overworked officers and firefighters increase the risk of:
Fatigue related errors
Decreased performance and public safety response
Burnout and attrition
Systemic & Ethical
Allegations of fraud damage public trust in public safety institutions.
Raises concern about lack of internal controls, especially in payroll and scheduling systems.
Risk of culture of complacency or tolerance for abuse if oversight remains weak.
Timework Recommendations
1. Audit & Transparency
Conduct an independent audit of OT practices and payments across MPD and Fire & EMS.
Publicly release findings to restore trust.
2. Technological Solutions
Implement automated scheduling and hour-tracking software to flag policy violations.
Use data dashboards for real-time monitoring of OT trends.
3. Policy Reform
Reevaluate OT eligibility and work-hour caps.
Consider recruitment incentives to reduce dependence on OT.
Establish a whistleblower-friendly system to report OT abuse anonymously.
4. Training & Accountability
Provide regular training on ethical use of OT.
Enforce consequences for fraud — including termination and legal action.
Timework Conclusion
The situation at MPD reflects a broader challenge in municipal workforce management: balancing staffing shortages with operational demands without compromising integrity or exhausting budgets. The ongoing investigation offers a timely opportunity to rebuild systems that ensure efficiency, transparency, and fairness in overtime practices.
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