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About 70 from Philly police helping out at Democratic convention

File photo: Philly police spokesman Lt. Ray Evers speaks to the media in Oct. 2011. (David M Warren/Staff)

By Bob Warner, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Posted: September 05, 2012

About 70 Philadelphia police personnel are spending the week in Charlotte helping to keep the peace at the Democratic National Convention - and giving a small boost to Philadelphia's budget situation, as the Democratic Party is paying their salaries and expenses.

The Philadelphia police contingent includes about 50 rank-and-file officers, 15 motorcycling members of the Highway Patrol, a captain, two lieutenants, and a handful of sergeants, according to Lt. Raymond Evers, a spokesman for the department.

It does not include three members of Mayor Nutter's security detail, who continue to be paid by Philadelphia taxpayers while seeing to the mayor's transportation and safety at the convention.

Evers said the Charlotte police requested Philadelphia's help several months ago while developing security plans for the convention. "When another department needs help, we're not going to turn our backs," Evers said, quoting Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey.

The department put out a call for volunteers to spend the week in Charlotte and the group was drawn from all over the city, reducing the impact on individual districts, Evers said.

"Some volunteered, some were asked, but nobody was forced if they didn't want to go," Evers said. "It's an unusual opportunity to be a law enforcement officer in someone else's town, an honor cherished by many of these officers."

The visiting officers will be paid by the Democratic National Committee for their regular wages and any overtime they work, Evers said - relieving Philadelphia taxpayers of their salaries as long as officers in Philadelphia don't have to work overtime to fill any gaps.

"This has happened in the past," Evers said, "whenever there's a major event in another city and they decide they need some help."

Contact Bob Warner at 215-854-5885 or warnerb@phillynews.com.