NEW HANOVER COUNTY — In response to a petition circulating on social media, both New Hanover County and the Sheriff’s Office have confirmed deputies are being compensated for overtime hours worked during preparation, response, and recovery efforts related to Hurricane Florence.
The petition, posted on Change.org earlier this week, titled “NHC SHERIFF POLICE OFFICERS NOT BEING PAID FOR OVERTIME DUTIES DURING HURRICANE FLORENCE,” claimed just that: New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office (NHCSO) deputies who worked 12-hour shifts instead of a usual 8-hour shift were not compensated for the additional time.
According to county officials, Sheriff’s deputies are being paid for the full 12-hour shifts they worked during the storm.
NHCSO Spokesperson Lt. Jerry Brewer confirmed deputies were being paid for the overtime shifts. According to Brewer, deputies signed time sheets for their usual eight-hour shifts, but then filled out an additional section for the elongated shifts.
New Hanover County Spokesperson Jessica Loeper confirmed that the county was responsible for paying overtime to deputies, and had paid salaried deputies for the full 12-hour shifts, not just the 40-hour week salaries are based on.
For emergency employees, like NHCSO deputies, FEMA will reimburse the county for 75 percent of the overtime payroll costs. State funding is still pending, but could cover the other 25 percent.
“I’m sure it came from a good place,” Loeper said of the petition. “But that’s not accurate … they are being taken care of.”
Wilmington Police Department officers who worked overtime during the storm will also be covered by a recent $8.5 million request from City Council, which will cover recovery efforts, including compensating employees.
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