Cops want to be paid for getting dressed

April 29, 2006 -- Uniformed Milwaukee police officers should be paid for the time it takes them to dress for work, according to a federal court lawsuit filed against the city.

The lawsuit seeks back pay, overtime, and additional monetary damages.

The city violates federal labor law "by failing to credit as hours worked...the time spent donning and doffing their uniforms and gear by members of the Milwaukee Police Department," according to the suit.

The suit also says that the Police Department has never paid officers for dressing and undressing themselves "even though such activities are integral to their workdays for performance of their duties and for their protection and safety."

The lawsuit, filed by Police Officers Mark Sikora and Daniel Halbur, two patrol officers, on behalf of cops in similar situations. The firm representing the officers, Fuchs, DeStafanis & Boyle, often represents the police union, the Milwaukee Police Association.