Arapahoe County proposes extra pay for lieutenants covering open shifts

Arapahoe County staff are proposing extra payments for Sheriff’s Office lieutenants who cover open deputy or sergeant shifts, to help the department meet minimum staffing requirements. The Board of County Commissioners is scheduled to discuss the proposal and provide direction at a Sept. 29 study session.

Under the draft policy, a lieutenant actively working outside their normal duties and scheduled hours could receive $425 for a shift lasting five to 10 hours, or $850 for a shift lasting more than 10 hours. A lieutenant could cover no more than one shift per pay period. Shifts outside regular hours would require advance approval from a supervisor or higher-level command. Requests would go through the Sheriff’s Office payment system for supervisor approval, the draft policy says.

Because lieutenants are exempt employees and not eligible for overtime, the proposal uses fixed payments rather than an hourly overtime rate, the Board Summary Report says. Human Resources and the Sheriff’s Office recommend approval.

The report estimates a maximum annual cost of $530,400 if all 24 lieutenants covered shifts longer than 10 hours every pay period. County staff say the expense could fit within the Sheriff’s Office’s existing budget and would not add benefit costs because it would not increase base salaries.

The report lists Sept. 26 as the proposed effective date. The Sept. 29 meeting agenda describes the item as a study session to provide updated information and receive Board direction, not as a final approval request.