A solution for managing off duty employment services
2020 has been a year of unprecedented challenges for law enforcement . Dealing with extensive safety precautions due to the COVID-19 pandemic , facing widespread violence brought on by public demonstrations , law enforcement has had to show a tremendous level of strength to face these challenges , all while upholding their commitment to protecting their communities , both on and off-duty .
Perhaps the most alarming trend has been the movement to make funding cuts to law enforcement budgets across the nation . These misguided attempts to slash police budgets , presented as an effort to improve safety , would have disastrous effects . Though the calls of “ defund the police ” might be dismissed as a slogan or toothless rhetoric , the threat of reduced law enforcement budgets is very real . Protestors and activists are not the only people making these demands . City officials across the nation are calling for a reduction in law enforcement budgets as well . In some areas of the country , officials are calling for a reduction by as much as one third of their existing allocation , all while being asked to do more with less .
Even communities who are not interested in cutting funding from police face the probable threat of a reduced budget . The economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has led to decrease in budgets and an increase in expenses . Federal funding usually allocated toward law enforcement initiatives may be re-allocated to pandemic safety activities such as obtaining personal protection equipment ( PPE ,) crowd management , and vaccine / relief distribution . While these activities play a vital role , they are no more deserving of funding than existing police initiatives . Law enforcement officers across the nation understand the facts better than anyone . Though new dangers arise ; the existing dangers remain and must be dealt with . Many agencies are forced to deal with these dangers with substantial manpower deficits . The true tragedy of these calls for police defunding is the misunderstanding of exactly where law enforcement agency budget dollars go . Many who advocate for police defunding are under the misconception that law enforcement budgets are inflated and primarily go to facilities , vehicles , and high-tech equipment . However , as most cities and LEOs are aware , the vast majority of an agency ’ s budget goes directly to paying officer salaries . These same officers are relied upon by the community to provide safety , security , and peace of mind every day . Reducing the number of officers protecting our communities will has already had a cascading effect on public safety , most notably a rise in violent crime .
Off Duty Management was designed for one purpose ; to support agencies directly by removing most of the unnecessary costs and liabilities impacting costs of many agency budgets , their off-duty employment program . As a result of the current challenges and costs associated with secondary employment , agencies across the country must evaluate the feasibility and fiscal responsibility of either maintaining an off-duty program in-agency or utilizing a third-party service options to save valuable time , money , and resources while reducing liability and risk exposure for the municipality and its officers . ODM is the only provider to offer a comprehensive service solution that delivers superior protection , savings , and reliability for the municipality , agency , and officers .
ODM was built by officers for officers . We have a unique understanding of the challenges involved with running a highly efficient , centrally administered program . That is why ODM was created as a NO-COST solution for agencies to eliminate all their off-duty program headaches as well as add increased layers of protection .
Off Duty Management provides customizable services to alleviate the cost burden of our partners and increase resources that they can allocate to other policing efforts . Most partners save over 85 % of the current costs related to administering off-duty programs . Not only do we provide agencies with the full scope of off-duty employment services , but we cover the officer , agency , and vendor with comprehensive A + rated liability insurance . Officers are also covered by full state-stature workers compensation in case of an incident . This coverage , and our full scope of services , come at no cost to the municipality , agency , or officer . ODM has developed an exclusive program that supplies superior protection and unique liability protection .
Today ’ s law enforcement challenges are on the rise and at a level unlike ever before . ODM would be proud to partner in the facilitation and management of your program so you can redirect off-duty funds and resources to assist in the protection of your community .
68 WINTER . 2021
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