Posted on 11/07/2013 2:36:09 PM PST by bkopto
I am a retired Detroit Police Officer and this is my story. I hope this will not happen to you.
I joined the Detroit Police Department in 1986. At that time the city had an agreement with the federal government that made Detroit Police officers ineligible for social security and Medicare. We were led to believe that this was to our benefit. We were told that we would be taken care of upon retirement with a pension and health care.
Today, this is no longer true. Because of the bankruptcy filing by the city of Detroit, the Emergency Manager has stripped me and my fellow officers of our health-care coverage and is trying to void our pension income.
I spent more than 23 years with the Detroit Police Department as a patrol officer. I patrolled the streets of Detroit. I answered calls for service. I did not have an administrative job, nor was I an executive. I have seen some really horrific scenes and fought against the worst violent acts that most people cannot even imagine.
I have uncovered babies from shallow graves, responded to domestic-violence incidents, armed robberries, and murder scenes. I have discovered heads blown off, double ax murders, and mummified bodies in abandoned buildings.
I have saved people from being killed. I have found lost children and returned missing relatives to safety when they wandered, were carjacked, or were taken away by force. And I have come into your home or the home of someone you know when help, safety, and security were needed to help the citizens of Detroit.
I have lost more friends in the line of duty than anyone should.
I have been shot at more times than you can count; and
I have been run over.
I loved my job.
In 1996, I was on my way back to the First Precinct after patrolling the streets. I proceeded through a green light near the precinct and was struck by a vehicle that ran a red light. I do not remember much about the accident because I was in a coma for six days. I had a very serious head injury. I was off work for nearly one year, then on restricted duty for two years.
I had to learn to eat and swallow again.
My head injury caused memory issues, which I have to this day.
I did not take a duty or medical retirement at the advice of my union. They told me not to worry---the retirement insurance coverage would take care of me. But that’s not true anymore.
I do not think I am special, nor do I think I am unique. I am like every other patrol officer in any other city. I worked hard. I earned everything I have. I do not want anyone to “give” me anything.
I do want what I earned --- my health-care coverage and pension.
Thank you for listening. I hope you do not experience the same treatment.
Wow, After all these years of attacks, your support is a true breath of fresh air!
No matter how many times they are told that we public employees pay into our retirement system, we are said to be getting something for nothing!
Thank You!
I am sick of hearing about “underpaid” public servants. It may have been true once upon a time, but the fact is that most government jobs pay substantially more than their private counterparts. The ridiculously lavish benefits packages were supposed to make up for this differential, but the spending has gone beyond reason.
Police, teachers, firefighters and the general civil servant are all in the same league: there are some really great people who do exceptional jobs, but far too many are just professional grifters. Those of us under fifty who believed that we woudl have SS are all facing the same fate. Under 40, fuggetaboudit...
Seems he is a “Boxer the horse” from Animal Farm. Only now, does it become clear to him what being a union member was all about. Too bad.
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/animalfarm/characters.html
JoMa
” if your employer promised it to you then I am all in favor of you receiving it............”
Anyone who is promised anything by any government does not have an “asset” They have a claim on future taxpayer income. If the taxpayers do not have sufficient income, no matter what the “promise”, there is no payment from the government.
Local, State, Federal, even Military pensions are dependent upon future taxpayers prosperity and their ability to be taxed. If taxpayers are unable to prosper enough to pay to the level of expectation, there is a problem, and someone doesn’t get paid their pension.
take the emotion out of the argument. If we don’t have the money, we can’t pay.
You’re pissed at most state workers but most of are not state workers! The rest of us get measly pensions while the state workers are able to retire with full benefits and a high paying side job to boot!
Pick your fight with the right people instead of trying to hold those of us without benefits guilty by association.
I was responding to the oft-repeated lie of “underpaid” government workers. The only way anyone is underpaid is if their employer does not pay them the agreed amount. Did you accept a specific wage? Is that what you got paid?
Next, we’ll hear about how much you could be making on the “outside.” The compensation and workman’s comp for government workers far exceeds the private sector even in tiny municipalities. Defined benefits have been non-existent in the private sector for years.
they went bankrupt...they have no money....bu the way, EVERYONE IN THIS COUNTRY WHO DRAWS A FEDERALLY TAXABLE INCOME SHOULD PAY INTO SOCIAL SECURITY........EVERYONE...the railroaders, the state and federal workers, the congress, the president....everyone!!!
Add logic to the argument, if you owe me the money and benefits you promised me and which I worked for then pay me or else I will sue you..........
He probably paid into a Ponzi-type retirement fund that went belly-up.
“Is it your wish to send federal tax dollars to bail out the corrupt unions
and rat politicians so he can have his pension?”
No, but I think people that commit fraud should be punished for it. He was defrauded.
what a wierd statement....pathetic.
Former Mayor Kwame-baby is in the slammer for 28.
Maybe we should add a few more for this fraud.
” or else I will sue you..........”
You don’t sue a man (or a city) with no money.
He should sue decades and decades of democrat politicians and union
thugs who ran Detroit in the ground. That is who is responsible for his predicament.
Most of us will end up in the same predicament.
SS will go bust. And those with 401k’s will either have them confiscated
by the government or they will be heavily taxed.
Why punish them even more.
It certainly wouldn't go over too well with me....however, I'd slap a lein on your house for $2500 and I would collect it, plus interest someday.
His chance of getting his benefits from Detroit are practically zero
I get a 13th check from Indiana almost every year...I also paid into Social Security and get a check from them too. Of course Indiana is run by Republicans and actually had a surplus which they returned to taxpayers in the form of a tax rebate..
Many cops are conservative due to what they witness on a daily basis.
:p
It's frightening. Over the last dozen years, rational discussion has devolved into name-calling and insults. Why can't people use rational thought and logic, instead of smarmy insults? One can dislike another's predicament without further kicking him while he's down. Anyway, spot-on analysis.
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