Protecting Law Enforcement Agencies and Officers in the Evolving Landscape of Off-Duty Programs

Why This Matters Now

Off-duty programs are vital for communities, providing additional public safety coverage while giving officers meaningful opportunities to supplement their income. Yet, as the industry grows, so do the compliance, insurance, and liability risks. Recent litigation, most notably Piney v. City of New York, signals a pivotal moment for agencies nationwide.

At RollKall, we believe this is a time for clarity, leadership, and transformation. Agencies deserve partners who not only provide technology but also understand the complex legal, regulatory, and insurance frameworks that govern off-duty work. Our role is to help agencies protect their programs, their officers, and their communities.

The Risks in 1099 Programs

Law Enforcement Officers classified as independent contractors for paid details are not exempt from state and federal laws on employment classification. Courts and regulators apply the Department of Labor’s Economic Realities Test, a five-factor balance that determines whether an individual is truly a contractor or an employee.

• Control & Investment often lean toward W-2: When departments dictate assignments, schedules, or supply critical equipment, the classification tilts toward “employee.”
• Skill & Permanency lean toward 1099: Officers volunteer, choose assignments, and bring specialized expertise sought by the public.
• Profit & Loss becomes the swing factor: True contractors must control aspects of invoicing, pricing, and financial risk.
  
  

The Piney case underscores this balancing act. If programs fail to preserve officer independence in meaningful ways, one or more of the following could happen:

• Agencies risk having their officers reclassified from 1099 contractors to acting in a W-2 overtime capacity for the law enforcement agency.
• Civil suits and Department of Labor inquiries
• Officers owed back taxes and pension contributions for back wages
• The cost to hire the officers increases for the consumers, as the hourly rate increases to cover the additional costs.

How RollKall Solves These Challenges

From the start, RollKall has been built differently, with compliance and protection at the center. For W2 programs, we streamline the administration between secondary employment and payroll. For 1099 programs, our platform enforces agency rules while preserving officer independence, providing agencies with transparency without compromising employer-like control:

1. Invoice Autonomy: Officers submit invoices directly through the platform. Payments flow from vendor to officer, with agency oversight but without undermining contractor independence.
2. Vendor Payment Integrity: Vendors pay officers and agencies directly in a single, trackable transaction. Agencies maintain visibility while officers maintain autonomy.
3. Profit & Loss Decisions: Officers can add expenses to their invoices, amend their time to reflect on-the-job activity, choose expedited payments or job-specific insurance, all preserving their ability to make financial and risk-based decisions.

The RollKall Difference

RollKall was built from the ground up to address the unique compliance, legal, and operational challenges associated with off-duty law enforcement work. Our platform gives agencies the ability to manage their programs with complete visibility and control, without triggering employment or private security regulations.

Unlike some managed service providers, RollKall does not insert itself between the agency, the officer, and the hiring business. Instead, we strengthen those relationships through technology that clarifies responsibilities, enforces policy, and ensures transparency at every step.

Here’s how we’re different:

• Agency-Led Compliance: Agencies set the rules, approve jobs, and maintain oversight, while officers keep the independence required by law.
• Built-In Autonomy: RollKall’s architecture intentionally separates administrative management from employer control, protecting both classification and compliance.
• Purpose-Built Protection: From payments to insurance, every feature is designed specifically for public safety, filling the gaps left by generic payroll or gig-economy tools.

This distinction isn’t just operational-it’s transformative. RollKall protects agencies from regulatory exposure, empowers officers with professional freedom, and preserves the integrity of off-duty programs nationwide.

A Call for Honest Conversation

We believe in telling agencies not just what they want to hear, but what they need to know. The risks in 1099 off-duty programs are real, and the industry must confront them directly.

At RollKall, we’re not just providing software-we’re leading a movement to protect officers and agencies while modernizing the management of paid details. We invite every agency leader to join us in these conversations.

Because in this industry, doing it right matters for the officers who serve, the agencies that lead, and the communities that depend on both.

We have a responsibility to get this right. RollKall has built the platform, partnerships, and protections to make sure we do. Together, we can ensure that off-duty programs remain sustainable, compliant, and protective for everyone involved.

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Respectfully,

Chris White

Founder - Chairman

RollKall Technologies, LLC

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