By By MARY-ALLISON LANCASTER – Managing editor
The Brewton City Council Tuesday night adopted a policy that will allow city police officers to work security for local businesses during their off-duty hours.
Police Chief Monte McGougin presented the policy which allows officers to patrol areas wearing official uniforms and driving marked cars while on patrol. McGougin said that the police department offers this as a service to those who request it. Payment amount to the officer is left entirely up to the owner of the establishment, but McGougin said he would prefer if the owners paid the normal pay rate.
McGougin said officers are not required to serve off-duty, but have the opportunity to sign up for the off-premise duties which would fall on their off days from the department.
Under the guidelines presented during Tuesday's meeting, officers working off-premises will not work more than 16 hours in one day, including duty hours. Officers witnessing violations are bound to deal with the situation. An officer making an arrest will not be paid by the city and must still complete the required paperwork. Any officer not dealing with a &#8220gross” violation of law will be disciplined for failure to act accordingly.
McGougin requested that the procedure be approved and go into effect as early as Friday, Nov. 25.
The policy was developed after service was requested at The Days Inn.
In other city news, council members: