New York City Mayor Eric Adams has ordered a crackdown on excessive overtime (OT) spending within the city’s largest and most influential agencies, including the NYPD, FDNY, Department of Sanitation, and Department of Correction. The directive follows a recent scandal in which allegations of sexual harassment for overtime compensation rocked the NYPD.
In a memo issued on December 23, 2024, Adams stated that the city’s four targeted departments represent a disproportionate amount of overtime spending, and he outlined a new plan to reduce these costs. According to Adams, it is the responsibility of the leadership in each department to ensure overtime is used appropriately and in line with city guidelines. The crackdown follows allegations made by Lieutenant Quathisha Epps, who accused former NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey of pressuring her for sex in exchange for overtime.
The scandal has been a major embarrassment for the NYPD, particularly as Epps claimed that Maddrey’s alleged actions were part of a broader problem with how overtime was distributed within the department. Epps had the highest OT earnings in the department, reportedly logging over $200,000 in overtime last year. After she filed the allegations, Maddrey resigned from his position, and Epps was suspended pending an investigation.
“The use of overtime to meet emergency service demands may require a reduction of non-emergency overtime if such emergency costs cause an Agency to overspend against its plan without prior notification,” Adams noted in his memo.
This is a critical aspect of the new directives, as it allows departments to prioritize emergency overtime needs while cutting back on non-urgent OT requests.
In response, Mayor Adams has put together a robust oversight structure to tackle the issue. The Mayor’s office, alongside the Office of Management and Budget, will work closely with the affected agencies to develop overtime reduction plans, set targets, and track year-over-year progress. The oversight teams will ensure that each department submits monthly reports on overtime usage and has regular meetings with their assigned city officials.
A key part of Adams’ new rules includes requiring each agency’s commissioner to personally review the top overtime earners every three months. This will help prevent misuse and ensure the equitable distribution of overtime. Agencies are also instructed that overtime should only be approved by personnel who report directly to the commissioner.
The NYPD, in particular, has come under heavy scrutiny following the scandal. Mayor Adams has tasked new Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch with overseeing the NYPD’s response. Tisch has already begun a comprehensive review of overtime policies and procedures. A spokesperson for the NYPD confirmed that the department is coordinating with the mayor’s office to ensure that all overtime spending is managed appropriately moving forward.
In addition to the NYPD, other departments affected by the new rules include the FDNY, which also sees significant OT expenditures, as well as the Department of Sanitation and the Department of Correction. These agencies have long been under pressure to manage their budgets more effectively, and Adams’ new directive is aimed at reining in wasteful spending across the board.
While the crackdown is primarily focused on reducing overtime costs, Adams also emphasized that agencies will still be allowed to use overtime in cases of emergency. The goal is to strike a balance between meeting urgent needs and avoiding excessive OT spending on non-emergency matters. Departments will be required to submit detailed plans outlining how they intend to reduce overtime without sacrificing their ability to respond to emergencies.
The mayor’s directive comes at a time when public trust in the NYPD is already strained due to the recent scandal. By tightening overtime regulations, Adams hopes to restore confidence in the department’s leadership and ensure that public resources are used more responsibly.
“As the mayor of New York City, it is my responsibility to ensure that taxpayers’ money is spent wisely, and that departments follow strict guidelines to prevent abuse,” said Adams in a statement. The move is expected to have a significant impact on overtime spending and could serve as a model for other cities facing similar challenges.
As the investigation into the NYPD continues, it is clear that Mayor Adams is committed to addressing both the financial and ethical issues that have plagued the department. His new overtime policies will be closely watched by both city officials and the public as they begin to take effect in the coming months.
