Albany police officers suspended, investigated after working a private security job while on duty for the city
Albany NY October 12 2023 Three city police officers have been suspended, months after the police department launched an investigation into the pay of officers who worked a special security detail for the city’s housing authority.
A police spokesperson confirmed Wednesday the officers were suspended for allegedly clocking in at the city Police Department at the same time they were being paid for working for the housing authority. WRGB—Channel 6 and WTEN—Channel 10 previously reported the suspensions.
The department did not identify the officers on Wednesday. Detective Megan Craft, the department spokesperson, said an internal investigation is still underway. It’s unclear how many officers total are the subject of the investigation.
At least one veteran officer who regularly worked the housing authority detail retired after the internal investigation began. Several officers have hired attorneys.
Officer Michael Delano, president of the city police officers union, declined to discuss specifics of the investigation.
“I will say these officers have our full support,” he said.
In February, a police spokesman confirmed the department’s Office of Professional Standards launched an investigation after police officials were alerted to a problem with officers working the detail. Police have not described the exact scope of the investigation or how many officers are involved. Earlier this year, the department alerted state Attorney General Letitia James’ office on Feb. 15. The attorney general’s office has said it was reviewing the department’s letter regarding the investigation.
Sources familiar with the investigation told the Times Union earlier this year that it appeared to focus on allegations of double-dipping — including instances of officers’ time sheets showing them working the housing authority security detail while working shifts for the city.
The city, the housing authority and the police union have a long-standing agreement that allows city police officers to work security for the housing authority. The detail has existed for at least the past 30 years and is meant to ensure the safety of residents.
The housing authority security detail is a unique one and several sources said a limited pool of officers typically choose to work it.
The detail does not function like other work, including overtime duties, that officers might do beyond the scope of a regular workweek. The housing authority is a separate agency from the city and is funded by the federal government. Officers who work the detail receive between $34 and $46 an hour depending on their rank and the shift they work — less than what they would receive working a police overtime detail. They then receive a separate paper check and W2 form from the housing authority to file with their taxes.
Typically, there are two officers — a supervisor and a patrol officer — assigned to the detail for each of the three shifts, according to documents provided by the housing authority. The first two shifts run five hours apiece and typically deal with administrative functions such as assisting with evictions and answering patrol calls. The overnight shift is an eight-hour shift, and officers are supposed to patrol the authority’s high-rise buildings.
Officers use a marked city police car for the housing security detail patrols, and the housing authority provides office space for them to work out of. The officers on the detail are the first to respond to calls for service at housing authority properties within their patrol zone. The housing authority also pays for fuel and vehicle repairs to cars used by the detail, according to the department’s general orders.
They report to the housing authority’s security director, who is a retired city police detective sergeant.
Officers working the housing authority detail can also be called to assist with other calls in the city if needed, according to the department’s general orders guiding the officers’ ability to work jobs outside of the department.
