Norwalk Cops Rolling In The Dough

Whoever said crime fighting doesn't pay, never worked for the In the list of the highest-paid city employees released by Comptroller Fred Gilden last week, 14 of the top 30 money earners are members of the force, all of the them making at least $149,000. That has raised a lot eyebrows across the city.

"It's really shocking," said Leo Ruhl of Norwalk. "I wish I was making what they are making."

Added Mike Lato, 37, who owns his own excavating company, "That's unbelievable," said Lato. "And for one guy to make that kind of dough is really amazing."

That one guy is, a police officer for more than 20 years. He made $207,000, $100,000 more than the mayor of Norwalk in 2011. Ouellette ranked first in earnings among all city employees, but said people need to look at the big picture when it comes to the numbers.

"To be fair, you have to break down what they get in salary and other jobs when it comes to the money they make," said Moccia. "Look at what they are paid straight up. The police officers made a lot of money doing 'dirt jobs' or construction jobs on the side."

Those "dirt" or construction jobs involve directing traffic and providing protection for the laborers of the companies paving roads, fixing power lines, or installing cable. The city bills the companies then compensates the officers through its own payroll. The side jobs and overtime have padded the paychecks of many members of the department significantly. Below are highest-paid law enforcement officials based on their 2011 compensation.

"Those guys work extremely hard and deserve what they get," said , who is not permitted to get overtime or work side jobs as head of the police department. "The officers are entitled to make that. They spend a lot of time away from their families and they are often outside in the extreme cold and heat."

Per department policy, employees of the police department cannot work more than 16 hours in a 24-hour period.  Moccia says the city has tried to reduce overtime with its employees, including police officials. To some, the amount of money the police officials are making is staggering, to others it's well-deserved.

"They put their lives on the line everyday," said Joe Chariott of Norwalk. "You can't put a price on a life. The police work in a tough environment and it's dangerous out there."