Introduction to NYPD Paid Detail
The NYPD Paid Detail program has been a topic of discussion among New Yorkers since a police officer working the program was fatally shot during the July 28 Midtown mass shooting. The program, which was launched in the spring of 1998, allows uniformed, off-duty officers to work private security jobs for outside companies, including TD Bank, Target, and The New York Times.
How the Program Works
According to an NYPD pamphlet, the program is open to members of the force from the rank of police officer up to captain. Each officer’s hourly pay rate varies by rank, with the department collecting a 10% administrative fee from each assignment. Police officers and detectives earn $49 per hour, with a $4.90 admin fee. Sergeants receive $61 per hour, with a $6.10 fee. Lieutenants are paid $68 per hour with a $6.80 fee, and captains and higher ranks make $87 per hour with an $8.70 fee.
Types of Jobs Available
The department pamphlet also notes that banks, office buildings, supermarkets, sports complexes, and other private vendors can offer Paid Detail jobs. Officers working these gigs maintain full arrest powers and remain subject to NYPD rules and regulations.
Those inside 345 Park Ave. flee with their hands up after a shooter opens fire.
Photo by Dean Moses
Officer Didarul Islam’s Story
NYPD Officer Didarul Islam was working as Paid Detail inside 345 Park Ave. on Monday when Shane Tamura entered the building and immediately shot him, killing him. “This officer saved lives. He was out front; others may be alive today because he was the barrier unexpectedly, but he was there. He was there to protect the people in that building, as well as his daily duties,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said at his funeral on Thursday. “I was asked one thing from the young widow. She said: ‘Pray for us.’”
Reactions from Officers
‘That could have been me’
Several officers currently participating in Paid Detail spoke to amNewYork on the condition of anonymity about their reactions to the killing and their views on the program. According to those interviewed, the death was especially shocking because the program is not typically seen as dangerous work. “Anytime there’s a death, we all take a deep breath. For the first time in my career, I felt like I could say that could have been me,” one NYPD source who works Paid Detail across the city said.
Reasons for Participating in Paid Detail
In the candid interviews, one officer noted that cops take Paid Detail for a variety of reasons. While some seek extra income to support growing families, others use it to fund hobbies. Another source said officers have access to an online portal listing vendors seeking security and noted that safeguards are in place to prevent cops from working Paid Detail too close to their regular shifts, reducing the risk of exhaustion. A poster featuring NYPD Police Officer Didarul Islam is held up as people mourn during a vigil in Bryant Park on July 29, 2025, for the victims of the July 28 mass shooting at a Midtown Manhattan office tower.
REUTERS/Ryan Murphy
Conclusion
The NYPD Paid Detail program provides an opportunity for officers to earn extra income while working private security jobs. However, the recent death of Officer Didarul Islam has raised questions about the safety of the program. While officers have expressed shock and sadness over the incident, many have also stated that it will not deter them from participating in the program.
FAQs
Q: What is the NYPD Paid Detail program?
A: The NYPD Paid Detail program is a program that allows uniformed, off-duty officers to work private security jobs for outside companies.
Q: How much do officers earn per hour?
A: Police officers and detectives earn $49 per hour, with a $4.90 admin fee. Sergeants receive $61 per hour, with a $6.10 fee. Lieutenants are paid $68 per hour with a $6.80 fee, and captains and higher ranks make $87 per hour with an $8.70 fee.
Q: What types of jobs are available through the program?
A: Banks, office buildings, supermarkets, sports complexes, and other private vendors can offer Paid Detail jobs.
Q: Do officers maintain full arrest powers while working Paid Detail?
A: Yes, officers working Paid Detail maintain full arrest powers and remain subject to NYPD rules and regulations.
