POLICE DETAILS AT WORK ON OUR ROADS -

PROVIDING ENHANCED PUBLIC SAFETY IN A COST EFFECTIVE MANNER
 

Putting aside the rhetoric and hyperbole, the facts demonstrate that having sworn police
officers assigned to road and highway construction projects – so-called Paid Police Details –
provides both enhanced public safety and cost effectiveness.

POLICE DETAILS ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY:

 - Sworn police officers are trained emergency first responders, ready and able to:

 - Perform Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation;

 - Utilize defibrillators maintained in cruisers in the case of cardiac episode;

 - Communicate effectively with Fire and EMS Responders, ensuring fast, effective response
    when accidents occur;
 

Just last week:

    The first responders to the MBTA train tragedy in Canton were four Canton Police Officers
    (all members of MCOP) working a nearby private detail.  These trained offices were able to
    immediately  identify the needs and call for fire and ambulance services, and begin to provide
    emergency services while awaiting the arrival of the emergency medical technician's.
 

Sworn police officers performing private details means more cops on the street:

 - Police officers perform private details in the communities they police, providing extra protection to the
   people of the community in the event of a crime;

 - Officers routinely assist motorists while performing private details;

 - Officers routinely respond to emergency calls while performing paid details, frequently being able to respond
   faster than officers who are providing services elsewhere;

 - Officers provide security to the construction and utility workers doing their jobs in high crime areas.

POLICE DETAILS ARE COST EFFECTIVE:

The use of civilians to direct traffic at construction sites is unlikely to lead to meaningful costs savings:

Contractors will be required to pay civilians state prevailing wages to take the place of sworn police officers.
The prevailing wage for such “flagmen” is currently (figures provided by Massachusetts Department of Labor):

Metro Boston                 $37.45 per hour
Central Mass                 $34.05
Springfield                     $30.72
Berkshires                     $29.97

In addition, contractors will need to pay payroll taxes and provide health insurance to civilians hired to replace
sworn police officers.  When you add it up, it doesn’t make sense.