Phoenix, AZ Facing Former Detective’s Collective Action Over Alleged Unpaid Overtime Wages

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The City of Phoenix is on the receiving end of a proposed collective action in which the plaintiff alleges Violent Crimes Bureau detectives have worked “significant off-the-clock hours” without being paid proper overtime wages. The plaintiff, a retired detective who the case says spent many years in the city’s Robbery, Assault, and Homicide units, claims current and former detectives routinely worked well in excess of 40 hours per week without receiving time-and-a-half overtime. While the plaintiff concedes he and similarly situated workers did receive pay for “a fraction” of their overtime hours worked, the lawsuit claims it was common practice for the city to fail to pay proper wages, reportedly due to pressure to keep labor costs down.

“On information and belief,” the suit reads, “Bureau lieutenants, the Bureau commander, the assistant chief over the Bureau and other members of Phoenix Police Department management were under significant pressure to keep overtime wages down for budgetary reasons.”

According to the suit, it was common knowledge among the plaintiff’s supervisors and management that detectives worked substantial overtime without commensurate pay.