We’re Mad as Hell and We’re not Going to Take It Anymore! Police Detail Protesters picket Revere Manhole and Sewer Cleanout

Discretion being the better part of valor, Massachusetts police should give it a rest. DLA research, the public, and common sense are working against them.

Police protesters in Revere, MA, fight for their right to detail
Boston Herald Photo: Patrick Whittemore

You can’t make up headlines like that. Well, you can: we did. But it was, as they say, inspired by true events. Boston drivers took to the roads this weekend with the assurance that Massachusetts police forces were doing their best to protect the safety and traditions of Massacusetts motoring. The first of what some police official say will be an ongoing protest against the state’s new regulations allowing civilian flaggers at road construction sites took place in Revere on Friday when about 30 protesters picketed a manhole where routine sewer maintenance was scheduled. Moving to another site, the work crew was told by a Revere police captain that the work site was a hazard and unsafe.

For years, paid police details in Massachusetts have remained one of our great state’s most sacrosanct symbols, something found in no other state, right up there with the Red Sox, Cardinal Medeiros, Rose Kennedy, Arthur Fiedler, Aerosmith, and Dave Cowens…icons so deeply associated with Massachusetts psyche that only non-residents would suggest that it be otherwise.

That is, until this year when the state passed a Transportation Bill authorizing the use of civilian flaggers and bringing Massachusetts into step with other 49 states.

Police groups have continued to counter that:

a) the detail policy exists to ensure public safety

b) that police are trained to deal with any “problems” that might arise from motorists at the site

c) that it doesn’t actually cost the public since it is paid by the construction companies and utilities

d) that police are empowered to make arrests if needed.

“Ensure public safety? ” A 2007 WBZ study of more than 2,600 state cruiser accidents between 2000 and 2007 found that more than 500 of those accidents were trooper-caused…and the “vast majority” of those took place not while the trooper was chasing scofflaws but, rather, while the trooper was commuting to work, on a detail, or simply on patrol!

“Trained to deal with problems?” How come police groups think it is OK to have 68-year old retirees responsible for ensuring that cars stop for 8 year olds on their way to school?

“Doesn’t cost the tax payer?” Almost too preposterous to even respond. Not only passed on to consumers when used to justify rates increase with PUC, the overtime pay—even though paid by outside sources—is used to calculate police pensions…which ARE paid by the taxpayers.

“Can make arrests?” Most people would pay twice that amount to have them go down to Ruggles Avenue and make some arrests. And police don’t seem to have same incentive to stand at intersections and distribute traffic citations.

What’s Wrong With this Picture?

In 2007, the average Boston police officer made roughly $14,000 in overtime and $20,500 in detail pay, or about 18 hours each week. 124 of the top 125 wage earners in Boston last year were police officers, with 25 earning more than $200,000.

There are darn few people in this state that begrudge police the salaries they make, especially city cops. But, if the issue is “public safety” is anyone concerned about the fact that the police on the street who may, at anytime, be called upon to respond to situations more frightening or delicate than most of us can imagine, are regularly putting in more 15 hours a day, six days a week?  

Using salary data released by the City of Boston, the table below shows salary and hours for three Boston policemen, chosen from the 108 highest paid Boston police. Based on the combination of salary, overtime, and detail pay, and using average pay rates for overtime and detail work, DLA calculated the total hours worked by these three policemen in a typical week. In order for an officer to work a 91 week, he or she would have to work six, 15 hour days each week, all year long. And this does not account for holiday or vacation time.

No wonder they are sleeping while Verizon pokes some fiber cable under the pavement.