Off-duty Flomaton police officers will be allowed to make extra money working at private venues following a vote of the town council Monday night.
Police Chief Chance Thompson approached the council saying there was nothing in the bylaws pertaining to police officers working off duty for private individuals using police-issued equipment.
Thompson said there were two options: one being the person requesting security pay the town and the town pay the officer and the other for the private individual paying the officer directly. He recommended letting the private individual handle the payment instead of coming through the town.
He noted that Ken Jernigan has put a wedding venue behind his new business at the old Charco building and will want off-duty officers on duty. He also said it could apply for extra officers at the racetracks.
Thompson also said other departments have policies that allow their off-duty officers to make extra money at private venues. He noted they will still have the same police authority as if they were on duty.
Flomaton Attorney Chuck Johns said he had no problem with the policy, noting it would give officers an opportunity to make more money.
The council approved the new policy on a unanimous vote.
