The phrase is “retired in good standing.”
Vested pension benefits cannot be denied.
What can be denied is retirement credentials, i.e., a retired star and retired ID card.
Officers who retire while under investigation for a violation for which they could be separated from the department will be considered by the department to have left, “not in good standing.” The Mayor’s Office just needs to begin a blanket complaint investigation of non-compliers and if they retire before it is resolved, they will be leaving “not in good standing”.
They wouldn’t be able to carry firearms under HR 218 for starters.
I think such actions as blanket investigations of all officers who give notice of retirement would be seen as retribution, financial punishment and abuse of power by many judges.
And negotiated contract terms, like retirement, agreed upon voluntarily by all parties are enforceable...I think this would come down to willful breech of contract...
But I’m not a lawyer...although I’ve been a member of the IBEW for over 20 yrs and witnessed contracts be legally enforced..
Officially announcing this possible punitive action as a threat of financial punishment against union members might also be viewed as intimidation or even extortion...