PITTSBURGH, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Police officers in Pittsburgh are retiring at twice the average rate, leaving the force at its lowest staffing levels in 50 years, officials said.
In the past week some 23 officers have turned in resignations, pushing the total retirements from the force to 108 for the year, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Thursday. An average number of annual retirements from the Pittsburgh Police Department is 55.
The spike in retirements apparently stems from concern about the city's Act 47 economic recovery plan, which could result in severe cuts in pension benefits, the newspaper said. The city is implementing Act 47 to deal with a severe financial crisis and is renegotiating contracts with unions such as the Fraternal Order of Police.
Police Sgt. Dennis McQuaide, a 50-year-old fourth-generation member of the force, retired Tuesday, telling the Post-Gazette waiting for a new contract would cost him about $600 a month in benefits.
The newspaper said the current Pittsburgh police force totals 801 officers as of Wednesday -- and 12 of them are on military leave. Police Chief Robert McNeilly said he wants to get the force back to 900 people.
