…since Tacoma police will no longer be paid to ball in charity events. TNT reports that a “whistleblower” (not a referee) revealed that officers were paid to play in the Hilltop Challenge, a charity basketball game benefitting youth programs, and other officers paid overtime to take their shifts. The officers were paid for 10-hour shifts for the event, which lasted only a few hours, and were also paid to practice. (We in here talkin’ about practice?! Click on that link–it’s amazing.) The Department says it was an error and that it’s always been policy that officers not be paid for participating in charitable events. A fairly minor violation, no doubt, and fairly minor league as well, but with the Sonics gone and the 3BA intermittent at best, it might’ve been worth a watch.