Police Overtime Calculator: 171 Hours, Court Pay and Details (2026)

The 171-Hour Line

Public agencies may set a 7(k) work period for sworn law enforcement of 7 to 28 days, with overtime owed above 171 hours in 28 days — prorated for shorter cycles. A 7-day period triggers overtime after roughly 43 hours; a 14-day period after 85.5. If no 7(k) period was adopted, the 40-hour week governs. The police and fire overtime calculator takes the period length as an input.

| Line | Amount |

| --- | --- |

| 14-day period: 96 regular + 4 OT scheduled | 100 hrs |

| Base $36.00 × 100 | $3,600.00 |

| Court pay minimums (3 × $40) | $120.00 |

| Shift differential (32 × $2.50) | $80.00 |

| Regular rate ($3,800 ÷ 100) | $38.00 |

| Overtime premium (4 × $19.00) | $76.00 |

| Gross pay | $3,876.00 |

Fold court minimums and the differential into the rate first; the premium follows the blended number, not base pay.

Off-Duty Details Are Hours Worked

A security detail directed by the department, or one it requires or arranges, counts toward the work period even if a third party writes the check. Truly voluntary off-duty work for an unrelated employer outside the department's control generally does not. Where that line sits matters, because details are what push most 7(k) periods past the threshold. See off-duty detail overtime.

Court Appearance Time

Time on a mandatory court appearance during scheduled off-duty hours is hours worked, and many contracts set a minimum show-up payment. If the appearance happens during your regular shift, you are simply working. Either way it belongs in the period total and in the regular rate when the minimum exceeds actual hours.

Comp Time and What to Do Next

Comp time at 1.5 hours per overtime hour is lawful for public agencies under a prior agreement, capped at 480 hours for public-safety employees. If your stub paid comp for hours the period owed in cash, check whether an agreement covers it. Run the full period in the police and fire overtime calculator, print it, and take it to the union or payroll with the 7(k) math highlighted.