How much does a visit from Obama cost in OT for cops?


An appearance by the president cost Portland more than $100,000 in overtime pay.

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BY JACOB PALMER | DIGITAL NEWS EDITOR

An appearance by the president cost more than $100,000 in overtime pay in Portland.

President Barack Obama came to Portland in May for a fundraiser and to sell the Trans Pacific Partnership at a speech at the Nike headquarters in Beaverton.

According to the Portland Police Bureau, the city logged $109,243 in overtime costs alone during the less than 24-hour period corresponding with the president’s visit. That total includes associated payroll taxes connected to the additional hours.

Sgt. Pete Simpson said the expense doesn’t include planning costs or other direct officer hours logged during what would otherwise be a normal workday. Simpson said the bureau tracked an additional $28,766 in overtime costs that officers took as comp time. “A portion of that may turn into payout expense later, depending on how officers elect to take those hours,” Simpson said in an email.

(SOURCE: OregonLive.com)