Police Overtime & Comp-Time Calculator
Track police and emergency services overtime hours, cash payments, and comp time earned. Track by category with monthly caps.
Police Overtime & Comp-Time Calculator
Overtime Entries
How the Calculation Works
How It Works: This calculator helps law enforcement and emergency services personnel track overtime hours, choose between cash payment or comp time for each entry, and monitor total overtime against any monthly caps.
Process: You enter multiple overtime entries, specifying the category (e.g., callout, court, investigation), hours worked, and whether that time is compensated as cash or comp time. The calculator sums totals by compensation method and checks your overall hours against any monthly cap.
Formulas:
- Cash overtime value: Cash hours × Base rate × Multiplier
- Comp time earned: Comp hours × Multiplier (e.g., 10 comp hours at 1.5x multiplier = 15 hours earned)
- Total overtime hours: Sum of all overtime entries
- Remaining cap: Maximum of (Monthly cap − Total hours, 0)
Important Note: Overtime rules, multipliers, comp time policies, and monthly caps vary significantly by agency, collective bargaining agreement, and jurisdiction. This calculator is a tracking tool, not a guarantee of payment.
Worked Example
Example: Base rate $30/hour, overtime multiplier 1.5, no monthly cap specified:
- Entry 1: Callout, 10 cash hours
- Value: 10 × $30 × 1.5 = $450
- Entry 2: Court appearance, 5 comp time hours
- Comp time earned: 5 × 1.5 = 7.5 hours
- Results: Total worked = 15 hours, Cash value = $450, Comp time earned = 7.5 hours
How to Use This Calculator
How to Use This Calculator: Enter your base hourly rate and overtime multiplier. Enter each overtime entry by selecting a category (callout, court, investigation, etc.), the number of hours, and whether it's paid as cash or comp time. Optionally set a monthly overtime cap. Click "Calculate" to see totals by category, cash value, comp time earned, and whether you've exceeded any monthly cap.
Cash vs. Comp Time: Some agencies allow officers to choose between cash payment (added to paychecks) or comp time (paid time off). Different agreements may have different rules about which is available for which types of overtime or whether there are limits on accruing comp time.
Multipliers and Categories: Different overtime categories sometimes have different multipliers. For example, court-mandated appearance might pay 2x while callout overtime is 1.5x. This calculator uses one multiplier for all entries in a single calculation; adjust your entries or perform multiple calculations if you have different rates.
Monthly and Annual Caps: Many agencies impose monthly caps on overtime to manage budgets and ensure adequate staffing. Some also have annual caps on comp time accrual. This calculator shows whether you're within or above any monthly cap you specify.
Informational Disclaimer: This calculator is an educational tool for tracking and estimation purposes. Overtime calculations, pay rates, multipliers, and eligibility rules are specified in employment contracts, civil service rules, and union agreements. This is not an official calculation tool. Always verify with your agency's payroll or HR department for official calculations and eligibility determinations.
Last updated: October 1, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How is police overtime pay calculated?
Police overtime is typically calculated as hours worked × base rate × multiplier (commonly 1.5x). Some agencies may pay 2x for certain types of overtime. The specific rate depends on your agency's contract and policies.
What is comp time?
Comp time is paid time off earned in lieu of cash payment. Instead of receiving overtime pay in your paycheck, you earn equivalent time off to use later. For example, 10 hours of overtime at 1.5x multiplier earns 15 hours of comp time.
Can I choose cash or comp time?
It depends on your agency. Some allow officers to choose; others mandate cash or comp time for specific overtime types. Check your union contract or agency policy for your specific entitlements.
What if I exceed a monthly cap?
If your agency has a monthly overtime cap and you exceed it, additional hours may not be paid as overtime, may be paid at a different rate, or may require special approval. This varies by agency and agreement.
How do I track multiple overtime categories?
This calculator allows you to enter multiple overtime entries with different categories. Each entry is added to the total, and you can see summaries by cash vs. comp time. For detailed agency reporting, refer to your official timekeeping system.