Based on the high number of officers that have left the BPD in the last five years, many officers had the perception that because of low pay, the BPD has been responsible for providing training and basic job experience for most of the surrounding municipal law enforcement agencies. In the 1998 Police Wage and Benefit Survey of 305 cities with populations of at least 50,000, the BPD's top-step salary for police officers ranked 262nd on the list. If the BPD is expected to reduce high turnover and attract more qualified police candidates, as well as boost morale, significant pay raises must be sought for all BPD officers. Currently through this mechanism, the BPD provides police services to clients above that of normal duty responsibilities. On average, the Unit schedules 28,000 to 30,000 positions annually.
Times typically average eight hours, but vary from four hours to as many as nineteen.
Currently, BPD officers are not allowed to work secondary employment more than 32 cumulative hours in one seven-day period. Also, officers are prohibited from working secondary employment at any alcohol-beverage outlet such as bars nor are officers allowed to work secondary employment where gaming devices are in operation. The BPD allows personnel to work secondary employment on a private basis and not related in any way to the Overtime Unit. But because there are no mechanisms for control of these types of arrangements, no analysis could be conducted to determine the extent to which officers avail themselves of this opportunity or are in compliance with Department guidelines. Officers themselves recognize the importance of secondary employment.