PSR is a new type of hiring service for many people. We are happy to answer any and all questions. We would love to assist you in creating the service plan that your community needs, so contact us with any questions you have!
How much do PSR services cost?
We operate on a sliding scale based upon the total number of hours used, however, it typically runs between $46.00 and $48.00 per hour and there is a four-hour minimum. Communities in the same locale can share a 4 to 6-hour shift to keep costs down and have officers in your community more often. (See below for further information on Share-A-Shift.)
Can we hire the HCSO officers directly?
Yes! You can absolutely hire them directly and you can contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Off-Duty Events Unit at offdutyaccts@hcso.tampa.fl.us if you choose to do so.
What does HCSO require if we hire them ourselves?
You will need to purchase a workers compensation insurance policy if you do not already have one, a general liability insurance policy if your current one does not cover armed officers, sign an indemnification agreement with the Sheriff’s Office and provide or hire a payroll service for the officers’ payroll. (Community association insurance policies may not cover the exposures of an armed officer and you should check with your insurance professional first.)
What responsibilities does the employer of the officers have?
Professional Security Resources, Inc. is the employer of record for your officers with W-2 responsibility, appropriate FICA, FUTA, SUTA payments, plus workers compensation and general liability insurances. Most law enforcement agencies require the hiring entity to indemnify them, and state statutes (FS 30.2905) make any public or private employer responsible for some acts or omissions of a deputy sheriff while working off-duty.
Are there IRS implications for paying off-duty law enforcement?
There may also be potential IRS implications for paying off-duty law enforcement officers as independent contractors without the necessary tax withholding. For this reason, HCSO requires their officers to be paid as employees and prohibits them from working as independent contractors. If you choose to compensate an off-duty officer as an independent contractor rather than as an employee as required by contract, be certain to discuss this issue with your contracting agency as well as your legal counsel and tax advisor.
Why are security agencies so much less expensive?
Security agencies can place a security officer in your community with a vehicle for around $20.00 per hour. Security officers cannot stop people, write tickets, or effect arrests. Unfortunately, neither kids nor the bad guys have a lot of respect for a security officer.
Are we guaranteed to have an officer available when we need them?
No. HCSO officers work these types of jobs on their days off and only when they choose to do so. If you list a job on their job board, it may or may not be filled, there are no guarantees. We recommend a minimum six-hour shift to make the shift more enticing to off-duty officers.
Will they spend the entire six-hour shift inside our community?
Yes. Usually. On very rare occasions if there is an extremely serious situation somewhere else in the district, they may be called away. This does not happen very often and when it does, you are only responsible for the hours worked in your community.
What if we are a small community and only need a couple of hours per month but we need to do something about our speeders?
Professional Security Resources will work with groups of smaller communities located in the same general vicinity. You will need to locate other associations in your general area and determine if you can Share-A-Shift. If three communities within close proximity pool their resources they could schedule six-hour shifts and take two-hours each. Contact PSR for further information.
Is PSR only for community associations?
No. In fact, our three largest clients are all Hillsborough County Special Dependent Tax Districts. PSR will work with any legitimate organizations, special events, or businesses that fall within the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office list of approved event types. Contact our office with any questions.