CAMDEN CITY, NJ — Dozens of former Camden City, New Jersey–police officers recently filed a class action unpaid overtime lawsuit against the city over claims that they are owed back pay dating back to before 2013, before the police force was disbanded. Some of those very same officers attempted to submit claims to a previous overtime pay lawsuit from 2016, but a federal judge ruled that those individuals could not join the settlement and would instead have to file their own class action lawsuit against the city.
The allegations in the unpaid overtime lawsuit date back to financially troubling times for the city when half the police department was laid off in 2011 in the midst of a serious budget shortfall. The city ultimately disbanded the entire police force and chose to incorporate into the newly created Camden County Police Department, which began policing the city in May of 2013. The city settled the 2016 overtime pay lawsuit with three officers for $750, before taxes, and an additional $14,000 in attorneys fees and court costs.
The latest unpaid overtime lawsuit against Camden City claims that the officers frequently worked more than 40 hours in a week but did not receive one and a half times their average hourly wages as required under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Unfortunately, this type of wage theft is all too common against men and women in law enforcement, fire departments, and other first responder organizations. With city budgets across the country facing shortfalls due to the recession, many municipalities have failed to live up to their legal obligations to pay proper wages to those who put their lives on the line to keep us safe.
The lawsuit seeks unpaid overtime wages from 2009 to 2012, interest on back pay, liquidated damages equal to back pay and attorneys fees. Under the FLSA, wage theft victims may file lawsuits together to recover all their back pay and damages at one time and hold employers responsible for their violations of wage laws.
Police Officer Unpaid Overtime Lawsuit
Call (855) 754-2795 or complete the Free Unpaid Overtime Case Review form on the top right of this page if you believe that your wage rights are being violated under the FLSA. Our top-rated team of unpaid wage lawyers will evaluate your situation to determine your best course of action to help you seek justice.
Our office will also determine if it is in your best interest to file a lawsuit against your employer. Because strict time limitations apply for filing these types of claims, we advise you contact our experienced unpaid overtime wage attorneys at your earliest convenience and preserve your legal rights.