Good idea
Proposal could help local police forces When it comes to improving law enforcement, we’re always open to innovative ideas.
One such outside-the-box idea might be a state lawmaker’s proposal to let retired police officers come back on the job without penalty. The bill by State Rep. Chelsa Wagner, D-Brookline, would allow retirees to return to duty part time without losing their pension. If enacted, the proposal would be a boon to financially strapped municipalities and departments who are struggling.
These returned-to-work retirees could handle some of the less demanding, yet still necessary, police work like traffic control and community relations. Doing so would free up the full-time officers who would otherwise handle such duties – and at a much higher cost to the department. The retirees wouldn’t receive health care benefits, saving municipalities significantly per officer. Of course, the retirees should not be tackling seriously strenuous police work, nor would they be expected to.
It’s hard not to see the benefits of the “Return to Service Act,” especially here in Fayette County, where we have a high percentage of retired state police troopers to draw from. Allowing them to lend a hand when needed while maintaining their pension benefits is a win-win for everyone involved.
While details still need to be worked out, the proposal is a strong one with clear-cut benefits for Fayette County and the rest of the state. We urge state lawmakers to take up the “Return to Service Act” and put our capable retirees back into service.