There is one troubling exception to the rule.

According to the same sources, APD has increased overtime for officers hired to provide security to private businesses. Fast food restaurants late at night, mega church traffic control, and movie shoots are just some of the way "chief's overtime" is used at the department.

The officer's union on Wednesday said the priorities are putting the public at risk.

It is a side effect of any thinly staffed agency. Fewer people means the ones you do have work more to pick up the slack. But sources tell KOB, despite rising crime and fewer cops, supervisors are being told to reign in officer overtime.

"Officers all over this city are being told, 'No more over time. No more calls for service overtime,'" said Albuquerque Police Officers Association President Shaun Willoughby.

Willoughby said the directive has trickled down through supervisors to the rank-and-file of an already vastly understaffed department.

"We're lucky that we have officers willing to work above and beyond," Willoughby said. "Willing to take their time off and sacrifice time with their family to address the crime problem -- the out-of-control crime problem in this community. And now we have to be fiscally conservative about overtime? Come on."

Willoughby said community and proactive policing will suffer. Tactical plans to address high crime areas are often developed using overtime because there aren't enough work day hours available. He called on city council's dismissal of APD's budget strain Wednesday.

"How detached are our governing leaders in this community not to immediately appropriate more money?" Willoughby said.

Willoughby said while supervisors are ordered to monitor patrol overtime, the cap on "chief's overtime" has been increased. That is the term for private organizations hiring APD to essentially provide security.

"Movie shoots, some Lobo games, gas stations will have 'chief's overtime,'" Willoughby said.

He said it's prioritizing that seems to value those who can afford police protection, over those who need it most.

"If you're paying additional for police services, you get the services," he said.

KOB reached out to the department Wednesday, and spokeswoman Celina Espinoza confirmed the department commanders have been told to monitor officers' overtime.

Sources: APD supervisors told to limit overtime

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