PENDING RETIREMENT NUMBERS AT APD ARE A BIG CONCERN. BUT ALBUQUERQUE MAYOR R-J BERRY SAYS IT'S FIXABLE. BERRY SAYS THE CITY COULD LOSE UP TO 200 OFFICERS OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS. HE SAYS THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO CHANGES TO THE STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM THAT SET A DEADLINE FOR WORKERS TO GET 70 PERCENT THEIR PAY FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIFE. NOW THE CITY'S SETTING UP INCENTIVES TO KEEP SOME OF ITS OFFICERS.
THE INCENTIVE IS TO GET THE CITY COUNCIL TO APPROVE RAISES FOR OFFICERS OF 6-THOUSAND TO 12-THOUSAND DOLLARS. BUT HE SAYS IT'S JUST A STOPGAP MEASURE. SO BERRY SAYS THE CITY'S ASKING STATE LAWMAKERS TO DRAFT A "RETURN TO WORK" POLICY THAT LETS RETIRED, EXPERIENCED OFFICERS TO RETURN THEIR OLD JOB AT APD … WHICH THEY'RE CURRENTLY NOT ALLOWED TO DO.
