Mayor Eric Adams wants to curb excessive overtime at the New York Police Department, New York City, and two other departments in the Big Apple after overtime sex allegations that rocked the department.
In Monday's order, Hizzoner announced a new set of rules aimed at cracking down on high-rise OTs in the police, fire department, corrections and health departments, with City Hall overseeing compliance. .
Adams said in the memo that the four departments “receive a disproportionate share of overtime spending” and that “it is up to each department to ensure that overtime is used responsibly and in accordance with city guidelines.” “is the continuing responsibility of the institution's management.”
Three City Hall offices and the Office of Management and Budget are tasked with working with targeted departments to reduce spending.
“The Office of Inspector General, in collaboration with the Agency, shall develop and subsequently monitor a detailed overtime reduction plan that includes year-over-year overtime reduction targets for each fiscal year,” Adams wrote.
The Office of the Chief of Staff, along with the Comptroller's Office, specifically oversees the NYPD. The New York City Police Department is under fire after explosive allegations that former Chief Jeffrey Madley forced his subordinates to have sex in exchange for massive amounts of overtime. .
Lt. Quatisha Epps, who last year made more than $200,000 as an OT, making her the highest-paid NYPD employee, accused Mr. Madrid of sexually harassing her for more than a year, a charge he denies. .
Still, the NYPD's big name resigned Friday night, shortly after being contacted by the Post about his bombshell remarks.
Epps was suspended last week before leveling the allegations against Madley in an exclusive interview with the Post amid an internal investigation into her astonishing OT performance. She is fighting to be reinstated, with plans to retire after 19 years on the job.
Mr. Adams did not mention the raging scandal in his memo.
A City Hall spokesperson told the Post Thursday night that the directive, effective immediately, says it all.
The mayor wants each department to submit monthly reports and have monthly meetings with their respective night offices.
Adams added that if a department's overtime hours are not reduced enough, it may be required to submit an improvement plan.
He also said that “to ensure that overtime is fairly distributed and to avoid potential abuse,” each department head should conduct a “personal review” of the department's top overtime earners at least once every three months. “We must investigate the matter,” he wrote.
“Management of overtime, including paid compensatory time, is the direct responsibility of each agency chief,” Adams wrote in one of the new directives. “Such time use approvals may only be made by agency employees who report directly to the agency director.”
He noted that agencies can still give their employees overtime to “meet the demands of emergency services.”
However, “when overtime is used to meet the demand for emergency services, non-emergency overtime is used when such emergency costs cause the agency to overspend against the program without prior notice.'' Labor reductions may be necessary,” he warned.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch spent much of her first month cleaning up the department, including making high-profile personnel changes.
