Dozens of DC officers make more than $100,000 in overtime, some outearn mayor amid police shortage

More than 40 police officers earned over $100,000 in overtime last year at the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, with some officers making more money with overtime than the mayor as the city, like many other major U.S. cities, struggles with recruiting and retaining police officers. 

The D.C. department's top earner, 33-year veteran Sgt. Tony Giles earned $244,414 in overtime alone. When adding in his base pay of $114,000 that year, Giles brought home around $360,000 in total, according to an analysis from the DCist, a local outlet.

Giles had already earned $249,577 in overtime and bonuses in 2023 with a month and a half remaining in the budget year, and with his current salary of $132,257, Giles likely made more than $380,000 for fiscal year 2023.

He is not the only person to earn more than $200,000 in overtime during 2022.

Sgt. Gregory Jackson, who has been on the force for 26 years, earned $216,363 in overtime pay, and while his salary is unclear for 2022, he made the same amount as Giles in base pay for 2023, meaning that he likely raked in more than $300,000 last year as well. 

Mayor Muriel Bowser, meanwhile, makes $250,000 a year, according to public records.

While Jackson and Giles are the only officers to earn more than $200,000 a year in overtime, more than 40 D.C. police officers earned more than $100,000 in overtime in 2022, according to data.

Officers are not allowed to work more than 18 hours within a 24-hour period or more than 98 hours a week unless they receive a special clearance.

The department is struggling with recruiting and retaining officers, which increases the overtime load. The Metropolitan Police Department has more than 3,400 sworn members, but it is about 700 fewer officers than a decade ago, according to city records. 

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