Council cuts fund for police duds
By Schuyler Kropf
Updated 04:52 p.m., May 6, 2009
North Charleston's police detectives — who boasted a couple of the sharpest dressed cops around — aren't going to be nearly as snazzy as they used to be.
City Council this year opted to cut the taxpayer-funded clothing allowance ranking officers received to offset the cost of their work-related dress clothes.
North Charleston Police badge
The extra money, pegged as high as $850 for members of the city's detective division, went for the ties, shoes, shirts and sport coats that made detectives look good at crime scenes or when they were called on to testify in court.
The perk had been around for some time and was widely recognized as a bonus rooted in the past when detectives weren't making excessive salaries.
But this year, City Council and Mayor Keith Summey said the police department's salaries are more competitive with other municipalities in South Carolina. And, with an extra-lean budget year looming ahead, it's also time for the clothing perk to be clipped, they reasoned.
"We don't furnish a clothing allowance for any other employees," Summey said this week.
The cut affects every officer from detective rank and above, which means that as many as 44 department officials are losing the bonus. For taxpayers, the cost savings is more than $34,000.
Reader poll
Should police detectives be given a clothing allowance?
- Yes 41% 301 votes
- No 58% 418 votes
719 total votes.
A couple of city detectives declined to comment about how their "style" might change when the money dries up. North Charleston Police Chief Jon Zumalt also conceded it is a tough year for the budget. "I am looking at some ways to problem-solve this in the future," he said.
Police clothing allowances aren't unique to North Charleston. Various local departments offer a bonus in some form. Mount Pleasant, for instance, provides about $500 a year for its plain-clothes officers, with a requirement that officers turn in receipts for what they bought.
"They have to buy something" with the money, said town administrator Mac Burdette. The money is also taxed, he said.
Charleston County sheriff's officials required to dress in suit coats, which includes detectives, warrant officers and process-servers, get a clothing allowance of $400 a year, though the allocation is under review, spokesman Maj. John Clark said.
City of Charleston non-uniformed police officials get a stipend of $700 for the 2009 budget year that ends in December, said Bob Miracle, the city's deputy chief financial officer.
Previous story
Budget outline at bare bones, published 05/02/09
The town of Summerville provides an allowance for its non-uniformed personnel of about $750 a year for about 15 employees.
Meanwhile, North Charleston leaders said their budget remains one of the most bare-bones spending plans they've seen. The $82.2 million budget includes no tax increases, layoffs or furloughs of city staff. But there are no employee pay increases or money for new equipment either.
Reach Schuyler Kropf at 937-5551, or skropf@postandcourier.com.
Editor's note: Due to incorrect information given to The Post and Courier, earlier versions of this story gave the wrong amount for the clothing allowance for non-uniformed police in Summerville.
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Tulane75 (anonymous) says...
It is my sense that the officers take pride in their appearance, such that the budget cuts will not be readily apparent to a casual observer. I am talking about the ones in suits and those in a beard and pony tail at the rock concert.
May 6, 2009 at 1:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
My backside................!!!!
Maybe they should take a SECOND Mortgage out on the "Taj Mahal - El Norte" ...!!!!
Heck....everyones doing it ....!!!!
The funds for this COMPLEX could sure be used ....NOW...!!!!
Heck with no money to pay salaries there ought to be PLENTY of room for MAYOR SUMMEY to drive his golf cart around inside....!!!
WOW.....citizens ....if our leaders actually planned and used the surplus funds in previous years to build out WIND Turbines on available PUBLIC EASEMENT....the ROYALTIES would be kicking in around NOW....!!!!
MAYOR SUMMEY.....is it hard for you to even salute a FLAG that is blowing in the WIND knowing that it is actually tax REVENUE wisping through your HAIR....!!!!!!
Heck ...just take a LOOK at those big PARKING lots around the MALL Drive AREA...!?!?! How many TURBINES could be PLACED ...THERE..!?!?!
Well,....maybe the NEXT Mayor will do a little more THINKING....!!!!!!
Workers of COBURG .....if you stop and THINK.....what would go beside your PARKING LOT...!?!?!
Hmm......lets see.....
May 6, 2009 at 2:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
LOR...(Life of RILEY)...!!
We see you SMILIN'....(along with ROberto FORD)
Wow...MAYOR RILEY....Mayor SUmmey has gotten himself into a .....WHAT ???
Mayor RILEY.....will there be ANY Wind Turbines on the NEW ....MAGNOLIA Project plans.....!?!?!
How about the Promenade......RAIL YARD....!?!?!
What great MARKETING ....MAYOR RILEY !! History on the MARKET and "PRESENT Day" on the Magnolia...!!!!
Mayor RILEY....do you support GE Workers...??? Or are you going to be caught with small "Fire hoses" ....AGAIN !!! Are YOU going to listen to Coal pimpin' Utility CEOs or are you going to get out and FEEL the breeze yourself...!?!?
WE ...WANT...TO...KNOW ...!?!?!
(Does your secretary have an Internet connection...YET?)
May 6, 2009 at 2:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
"We don't furnish a clothing allowance for any other employees," Summey said this week".
UH EXCEPT FOR YOU MR MAYOR! YOUR NEW DESK WOULD HAVE PAID FOR THIS. SUMMEY IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A POLITICIAN IS LEFT IN OFFICE TOO LONG. HE BECOMES A POWER MONGER, ABOVE HIS OR ANYONE'S RULES. LOOKS OUT FOR THE KING AND DAMN EVERYONE LEFT!
ALL HAIL KING SUMMEY OF NORTH CHUCK!
May 6, 2009 at 6:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eds777 (anonymous) says...
I was actively employed in the business community for 45 years prior to retirement, and had to pay for ALL of my clothes, whether used for business or any other use. This is the REAL WORLD!
May 6, 2009 at 9:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
smosellem (anonymous) says...
There are plenty of other professions that require a professional appearance but do not give any clothing allowance. I've worked many an admin/exec jobs that required professional to semi-professional dress without any regard for my limited earnings. An employee clothing allowance is like paying mileage reimbursement every day an employee drives from home to work - company expense accounts don't work like that.
May 6, 2009 at 9:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ln1959 (anonymous) says...
Don't fear "Supper Bad clothing store" is here. Just go downtown Charleston and get thier suits. ha ha ha I am sure they sell them for like $59. ha ha ha
May 6, 2009 at 9:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
buzz457 (anonymous) says...
For all you in the "real world" you probably are making a quite a few more dollars than the lame pay for Police Officers in the South that risk their lives for your tired ***.
May 6, 2009 at 2:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MedicChas2 (anonymous) says...
The officers who are on patrol are required to wear the uniform, belt, etc... This can be costly, so the City provides these uniforms to the Officers. The detectives are required to wear civilian clothes. But, they are also mandated with appearing professional when attending interviews, meetings and court cases in this suit and tie. The cost of nice looking, functional dress clothes is high. I do not see a problem with the City helping to pay for these clothes.
Perhaps a better plan would have been to cut the stipend down by 1/2 and then make it clear that it is being slowly cut. This would give time for Detectives to make arrangements. I know plenty of Police Officers and Detectives who are living close to "paycheck to paycheck." Although the Mayor reports that the pay is better and now close to equal other department, it is still not a lot of money for the job they do.
I guess the $34,000 is going to help the City, but in the grand scheme, it is a drop in the bucket.
May 6, 2009 at 3:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
outrage (anonymous) says...
The Men's Warehouse - " you are going to like the way you look".
I just got 2 jackets, 3 pairs of pants, 2 dress shirts, and two ties for $550.00.
Do you know how many people you could outfit with $10,000.
I GUESS YOU REALLY NEEDED THAT NEW DESK!
May 6, 2009 at 6:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
burton (anonymous) says...
Wow, N. Charleston is the 10th most dangerous city in the U.S. and the mayor and city council can't find money to help Chief Zumalt and his dept fight crime? Last year, N. Charleston was 7th. But yet, monies can be found for a new $36 million dollar City Hall, a $10k desk and everything else in-between. Has the mayor's clothing allowance been cut? The cops get paid peanuts.
And you wonder why the Chief has a hard time with recruiting officers for his dept? Sad, Sad, Sad!
May 6, 2009 at 8:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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