Sep. 13—Dear Answer Man: Who is paying the big bill each year when Rochester police officers to do traffic control around Mayo Unbound projects? I see RPD officers there, and I see them at MnDOT construction projects. — Who Pays the Police.
Dear Who,
Answer Man has had the misfortune of navigating downtown a couple of times this summer, and honestly, a few of Rochester’s finest educating drivers on where to go sounds like a good thing.
Police can direct traffic, keep motorists and pedestrians safe, and help people who get confused by closed roads and detours.
Personally, I’ve seen RPD cruisers parked, and officers working on site around major construction projects this summer, whether it’s been downtown near some of these “Bold. Forward. Unbound. In Rochester” projects or along U.S. Highway 14 as contractors have been working in and around traffic on that Minnesota Department of Transportation project.
So, first and foremost, the fact that someone is paying RPD officers to be there and help in these trying traffic times, Answer Man is grateful.
That said, you asked who is paying.
Well, Amanda Grayson, spokeswoman for RPD, confirmed that RPD officers are sometimes requested to provide traffic assistance during major construction projects.
“These assignments are considered extra-duty jobs, and officers may sign up for them outside of their regular shifts,” Grayson said.
She added that officers are paid a set rate, which is billed to the requesting organization. So, if Mayo Clinic or MnDOT is in need of officers for extra work, they contact RPD, arrange for the shifts and pay the price.
“Mayo Clinic is funding extra-duty traffic assignments connected to its ‘Bold. Forward. Unbound. in Rochester’ initiative and donated downtown space for a shared coordination and command center,” Grayson said.
Additionally, the contractor responsible for resurfacing U.S. Highway 14 (12th Street South) — the MnDOT road project that snarled up traffic across one of the major thoroughfares in south Rochester this summer — funded extra-duty traffic support for that project.
Finally, Grayson said RPD meets regularly with organizations requesting assistance to evaluate needs and how to best respond to them.
So, if you see officers working at or near a Mayo Clinic construction site, rest assured, the funds are not coming out of RPD’s budget.
Better still, officers are making a little extra cash, which is a nice bonus for those folks.
Send questions to Answer Man at answerman@postbulletin.com.