A police department head may assign uncompensated duty to a police officer only if the officer agrees, and must give a written statement with the duty dates.
Sec. 143.055. UNCOMPENSATED DUTY OF POLICE OFFICERS. (a) This section does not apply to a municipality with a population of 1.5 million or more. (b) In this section, "uncompensated duty" means days of police work without pay that are in addition to regular or normal work days. (c) The head of the police department may assign a police officer under his jurisdiction or supervision to uncompensated duty. The department head may not impose uncompensated duty unless the police officer agrees to accept the duty. If the police officer agrees to accept uncompensated duty, the department head shall give the person a written statement that specifies the date or dates on which the person will perform uncompensated duty. (d) Uncompensated duty may be in place of or in combination with a period of disciplinary suspension without pay. If uncompensated duty is combined with a disciplinary suspension, the total number of uncompensated days may not exceed 15. (e) A police officer may not earn or accrue any wage, salary, or benefit arising from length of service while the person is suspended or performing uncompensated duty. The days on which a police officer performs assigned uncompensated duty may not be taken into consideration in determining eligibility for a promotional examination. A disciplinary suspension does not constitute a break in a continuous position or in service in the department in determining eligibility for a promotional examination. (f) Except as provided by this section, a police officer who performs assigned uncompensated duty retains all rights and privileges of the person's position in the police department and of the person's employment by the municipality. Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.