U.S. District Court Judge Richard Matsch on Tuesday approved the settlement of a lawsuit between the city and county of Denver and 852 police officers who alleged they had not been adequately compensated under the Fair Labor and Standards Act.
The settlement gives officers about five weeks of special compensatory time off that they will be able to take over their careers. In monetary terms, the settlement is worth about $10 million, including lawyer fees, but will be paid out in 225 hours of comp time for each officer until the end of the officer’s career. If retiring officers have not used their comp time, they will be paid for what is remaining. Officers who have already retired will be paid cash.
At least 500 more officers are expected to join the suit. Denver Mayor Michael Hancock called the settlement “an important milestone” in resolving differences between the city and the Police Department.
Denver Post Staff and wire reports
