TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – One of three state troopers reviewed under a special overtime program to deter speeders has been found to claim overtime for hours spent at home or eating. But some of those being disciplined said they were following an unwritten rule that's been in place for decades.
More than 900 troopers participate in the Statewide Overtime Action Response program, which is designed to pay eight hours of overtime a week to crack down on speeders or help stranded motorists.
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Internal investigators at the patrol choose the top three SOAR earners from each district. Of the 36 cases reviewed, three were fired, four retired, three were suspended, one was reprimanded and another is facing termination after claiming overtime for working from home or while eating.
"Some were sitting at their houses longer and it was a continuous issue, then they were disciplined more than, you know, the ones that just went to the restaurants for a few minutes or whatever," Florida Highway Patrol spokeswoman Capt. Nancy Rasmussen said. "So it was based on what their egregious activities were on the program."
Troopers were cited for turning off their automatic locating devices or failing to call in when they were taking dinner breaks.
The Police Benevolent Association, which represents the Highway Patrol, said it won't talk about the troopers in the report because it doesn't talk about pending litigation.
Attorney Sid Matthew represents two of the 12 being disciplined. He said both were following long-standing unwritten rules and that no one was goofing off on the state's dime.
"They paid overtime for 20 years for meal breaks, and now all of a sudden, they are changing their policies," Matthew said.
The FHP said the actions taken will not impact increased presence on the highways this holiday weekend.
The FHP said there are no unwritten rules, but attorneys said if they are changing policies, troopers must be told in advance.
In June, after some of the disciplinary actions had already been started, the FHP issued a memo saying no one was authorized to work from home.