Off-duty cops cost Denver

The Denver Post reports:

Denver police officers may rack up extra cash working off- duty jobs, but it's taxpayers who pick up the tab when something goes wrong.

From 2001 to 2005, workers' compensation payments to police officers cost the city $12.6 million. City officials acknowledge they aren't sure how much of that money went to officers who were hurt working off duty.

The potential cost to taxpayers doesn't stop there. If an off- duty officer injures or kills a civilian, the city may be liable for millions.

Unlike Denver firefighters or sheriff's deputies working off- duty jobs, police officers are considered to be on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Therefore, even when they are not officially on the city clock, officers collect workers' compensation if hurt while exerting their "police authority."

That's isn't small change.