Council debates allowing uniformed off-duty Topeka officers to work private security

City police leaders proposed revising municipal code 5.90.20 to give the police chief authority to permit uniformed off-duty Topeka Police Department officers to work secondary-employment security for private employers and state agencies.

"Once they put on that uniform, they are TPD officers, and they belong to me, and accountability is to them, and ultimately to me as chief of police," Chief Chris Vallejo said, arguing that a visible uniform reduces ambiguity for the public and can reduce liability because officers would be following department policy and wearing body cameras while on assignment.

Deputy Mayor and several council members said they feared a new gray area of responsibility when officers are paid by private employers while wearing a city uniform. "I've seen officers…wearing TPD uniform. They're TPD and then there's no resolution," one council member said, describing past instances where the public received conflicting information about who supervised an officer during off-duty work.

Council members asked the police department to provide a legal memorandum on liability, workers’ compensation and the interplay between private employers and city oversight before any ordinance change is finalized. Chief Vallejo said the city already requires permission for secondary employment and that his office would evaluate hours limits and policy updates; he also said he intends a broader policy review of off-duty employment limits.

No formal vote was taken. Council members directed staff and the city attorney to provide additional information and legal analysis for a future action item if the council wishes to adopt the proposed changes.