Kim Kardashian's police ride-along stirs controversy

NORTH MIAMI, Fla. (WSVN) -- One South Florida police force is receiving some controversial attention after giving a reality show star a spin, as that ride may have cost taxpayers.

Kim Kardashian was seen driving through the streets of North Miami many times while filming the latest season of "Kourtney and Kim Take Miami." However, a ride in North Miami with police several, months ago, which aired on last week's episode is bringing unwanted attention to the city's police force.

Some North Miami citizens are concerned taxpayer's dollars may have been used.

Reporter: "Was any overtime used?"

North Miami Police Major Neal Cuevas: "In this particular case, yes. There was seven hours of overtime used by one of the officers, and it amounted to approximately $210."

Police said one officer was paid seven hours of overtime to help out with Kim's ride-along. People who watched the show said several officers went along, but police said, this is routine. "Our ride-along program has been in place for many, many years," said Cuevas. "We have college students, we have other citizens, we have people from different walks of life ride with the police department."

In all fairness to North Miami Police, they said, when it comes to the overtime, they understand the concern, but they also weigh the benefit the ride along brought to the City of North Miami. They believe it brought positive publicity both to the City of North Miami, and to it's police department. "We do everything we can to avoid overtime in general," said Cuevas. "In rare occasions there are those situations where overtime does come into play."

The public's opinion is mixed on the subject. "Anyone that lives in North Miami can request to go on a ride-along," said one woman. "So I don't think that's an issue."

Another woman felt rather ambivalent on the subject, which may call into question whether the publicity was good for the city. "Honestly, I don't know too much about Kim, but she's not my favorite, so I wouldn't be able to tell you much about that."

Kim was in the headlines before in North Miami when she received the key to the city. Now she had a police ride-along. Kim recently Tweeted, "My detective skills come out in full force tonight on Kourtney and Kim Take Miami! I can't believe the cops let me do that!"

North Miami Police said several police officers were with Kim that night but only one officer received paid overtime.

(Copyright 2013 by Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)