Chief of police retiring to earn pension, Mayor will rehire - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

Chief of police retiring for pension; Mayor will rehire

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13abc.com Malena Caruso, Action News Reporter - email

Toledo's police chief is retiring this month, after being the city's highest law enforcement officer for less than two years.

There's a catch. He's not done serving and protecting, yet. 

In a letter sent to City Council today, Mayor Bell said Police Chief Derrick Diggs must retire by March 21. If he doesn't retire, he won't collect the pension he's earned from his 35 years with the Toledo Police Department.

Mayor Bell said this doesn't mean the chief is done working for the city. 

But to some citizens this is double dipping. 

"Like I said, it's just something that's available for them to take. Double dipping on the payroll," said JOhn McSurley. "I don't think it's fair."

According to Ohio law, it's legal. 

"Our State Representatives and State Senators have established this law that allows people to retire with incentives and they can come back into the public sector or the private," said George Sarantou, R - Toledo City Council. 

This law is from the Ohio Revised Code and governs the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Funds. 

The DROP program or "Deferred Retirement Option Plan" is a benefit that Chief Diggs and other officers can enroll in voluntarily. The intention of the program is to keep experienced officers on the force with the incentive of earning extra money. 

"Because of state law involving this particular program he has to sever himself from the city of Toledo," Mayor Michael Bell, I - Toledo.

Mayor Bell said the chief's work to make Toledo safer is not done yet. 

"We're at a very crucial time in trying to turn crime around in our city," said Mayor Bell. "It is very important from my standpoint as a mayor to stay in a positive direction."

That's why he's asking City Council to rehire Chief Diggs. 

"I do not detect a movement at City Council to not bring back Chief Diggs," said Councilman Sarantou. "However, I have 11 other people on council and we need to do our due diligence."

Some still don't like the idea of collecting a pension while still on a government salary, mostly because they can't do it too. 

"I think if I could retire today and go back to work tomorrow and make a pension and my normal pay, I would probably do it too, " said McSurley. 

Councilman Sarantou said if people are upset with these types of programs they should contact their State Representatives. 

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