Lexington wants to re-hire retired cops as vacancies remain. Lawmakers have to say yes first
A bill that would give Lexington the authority to re-hire retired police officers cleared a state Senate committee Wednesday.
Senate Bill 89 would limit the number of retirees Lexington could re-hire to 25 or no greater than 10% of the police force. It would also prohibit those who return to work from getting an additional or second pension. Retirees would still be able to collect both a salary and their pension under the bill.
The retirees could be hired for a one-year period with the option of renewal. Officers who had pending administrative charges, such as a formal complaint at the time of retirement, could not be rehired under the bill.
The Senate State and Local Government Committee unanimously passed S.B. 89 on Wednesday.
Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton said Lexington, and other major cities, have struggled to attract and keep police officers since 2020. The department is currently 100 officers short of the authorized strength of 639 officers. There are currently seven officers completing training.
“This will help us recruit folks who have already served our city,” Gorton told the committee Wednesday.
Lexington must get legislative approval for any changes to its pension system. That’s why it needs a separate bill to re-hire retired police officers.
The city has upped pay for Lexington officers multiple times over the past two years. Officers leaving the police academy now start at $60,710 annually, a substantial pay increase from prior years. In 2022, officers and sergeants got an $8,000 pay increase while lieutenants saw a $3,000 increase.
During the last pay increase, Gorton’s administration and the Fraternal Order of Police Bluegrass Lodge 4, which represents police officers, agreed to ask the legislature for a change in state law allowing retired officers to come back to the department.
Senate Bill 89, filed by Sen. Donald Douglas, R-Nicholasville, and Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe, R-Lexington, will now to go the full Senate.
This story was originally published February 22, 2023 at 1:08 PM.
