At least three New York City Port Authority police officers raked in more than three times their annual salaries last year due to overtime pay, according to a report from DNAinfo New York.
Three officers made over $300,000 in 2016, including one officer who made more money than if he worked an eight-hour shift every single day of the year.
The Port Authority Police Department (PAPD) is separate from the New York Police Department (NYPD), and enforces state and local laws at bridges, bus terminals, tunnels, airports and other facilities that are operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Officer Andrew Kurpat, a 25-year veteran officer at the World Trade Center, made $316,213 in 2016, more than triple his $90,000 base salary, according to information obtained by “On the Inside.”
The other two officers. Sgt. Kevin Cottrell and Officer Elvin Erickson made $319,922 and $311,213 respectively. Officers’ pensions are determined by the salaries of the individual over a consecutive 36-month period.
“It is a helluva lot of overtime, no question,” a union official told DNAinfo New York. “But it happens when everyone else passes on taking it and where someone is willing,” the unnamed official said.
Officers who work overtime shifts are paid 1.5 times their base salary. The department policy allows officers to volunteer to pick up overtime shifts. The department can compel officers to work extra hours only when no one steps up to take a shift.
The Port Authority Police Benevolent Association (PABA), which represents the officers, argue the issue is staffing levels. “The Port Authority has been an epic failure in providing proper police manpower in the post-9/11 world protecting the highest profile targets in the nation,” Paul Nunziato of the PAPBA said.
The Port Authority has been plagued by scandals in recent years. Former chairman David Samson resigned in 2014 and pleaded guilty to bribery charges in the summer of 2016. Another top official was convicted in 2016 for his involvement in the so-called Bridgegate.
The PAPD has also had its fair share of issues. A Dec. 2016 NJ.com report revealed that a third of the officers assigned to protect a busy rail system spent hours, sometimes entire shifts inside break areas instead of on patrol.
Information on the salaries for the entire department for all of 2016 will not be available until March, according to DNAinfo New York.
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