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City Should Require Police Officers To Buy Gas For Long Commutes

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 17, 2008

If the city of Tampa is considering lay-offs to cope with reduced tax revenues, Mayor Pam Iorio should be willing to ask police officers who live outside Hillsborough County to pay for the gas they use when driving their take-home cruisers beyond the county line.

Fear of "poor morale" is no reason to reject a sensible cost-saving measure. Tampa already offers the highest salaries and benefit packages around. Even agencies that compete with Tampa's largesse don't give away free gas for long commutes.

Nearly three quarters of Tampa's police force live outside the city limits, with about a third living outside Hillsborough. Because of higher fuel prices, Police Chief Stephen Hogue wants city council to give him another $800,000.

Because the city is part of the county - something county commissioners sometimes forget - it's reasonable to allow officers who live in Hillsborough to take their cars home without chipping in for gas.

But a third of the force lives outside the county - in Pasco, Polk and Manatee counties - and taxpayers are subsidizing their commutes, as well as their personal travel at home. The Internal Revenue Service doesn't allow ordinary citizens to deduct the cost of commuting, let alone trips to the grocery store. Why should police officers and staff who choose to live in neighboring counties get special treatment?

No one suggests eliminating the city's 985 take-home police cars, a policy that allows officers to avoid buying a personal vehicle. Former Mayor Sandy Freedman tried that in 1988 - saving $2.2 million at the time - and the political scars still remain. Today it's nearly impossible to find a politician who's willing to guard the public's wallet when the police union calls. That's because the union has a strong record of political fundraising, door-to-door campaigning and newspaper letter-writing crusades.

Because of the morale problem that erupted after Freedman's tough call, talk of reining in excessive police benefits has paralyzed City Hall with fear. In interviews with the media this week, only City Councilman Charlie Miranda showed a willingness to reconsider the policy.

Look, Tampa police are doing a terrific job. The city's drop in serious crime is the envy of other communities. And it's a tough job few would want.

But these are tough times for governments - and taxpayers. Iorio and Police Chief Stephen Hogue should show a willingness to make tough choices and tighten their belts where it makes sense.

Hillsborough Sheriff David Gee, like his counterpart in Pinellas, found a reasonable middle-ground. He allows officers to take their cars home, but asks them to pay for the gas they use beyond the county line. Pasco Sheriff Bob White has taken the added step of prohibiting deputies from using their cars for personal errands.

Iorio says the bookkeeping would be too tough. Tell that to the employees looking at layoffs.

Before closing her mind, the mayor should study best practices.

As former mayor Freedman says, doing the right thing can extract a high price from the police union.

But doing nothing takes a bigger toll on taxpayers.

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