Published on Monday, November 28, 2005
in the Naples Daily News

In the Know: What's the deal with troopers directing church traffic?

Q. On Sunday mornings, I have observed the Florida Highway Patrol providing traffic control on Rattlesnake Hammock Road for the departing parishioners of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church. Since Rattlesnake Hammock is not a state highway, I'm curious as to how this arrangement came to be. Also, is this service paid for or complimentary?

— Dave Beitzel, Naples

A. That is a paid service, said Lt. Doug Dodson, public affairs officer for Florida Highway Patrol Troop F (which includes Collier County).

Off-duty troopers are allowed to earn some extra money by providing traffic control for churches, Dodson said. However, the arrangement must first be approved by the FHP.

Troopers are allowed to bring their patrol cars to these off-duty jobs, though they must reimburse the FHP for the mileage they put on the cars, Dodson said.

Typically, churches hire troopers in blocks of several hours.

Construction contractors also hire off-duty troopers, Dodson said. So when you see a patrol car with its lights running parked in a construction zone, that's often an off-duty trooper that the contractor has hired.

There are some jobs that off-duty troopers are not allowed to take, such as being a bouncer at a bar, Dodson said. Troopers' off-duty jobs are subject to FHP regulations, which can be viewed at www.flhsmv.gov/fhp/html/manuals/fh05-10.pdf.1.

The off-duty employment allows troopers to supplement their income and helps provide additional safety at churches, construction sites and elsewhere, Dodson said.

St. Peter's is one of several churches in Southwest Florida that uses off-duty troopers, said Lt. Paul France at the Naples FHP station. The number there is 354-2377.