DH has been a police officer in a small town for 29 years, 5 months. He was "fully vested" and eligible to retire @ 28 years, but for some reason wants to make 30 years. He plans to retire in April of next year. He has survived several police chiefs and many mayors. The current chief, hired with absolutely no law enforcement experience but a friend of the mayor, is a member of the Good Ol' Boys network. Every officer hired since the current chief was hired are also members in good standing of the GOBN. Most live within a few miles of each other and some are related in the twisted way that happens in small towns.
When DH does retire he will be the very first officer to retire fully vested in the history of the department AND will be only the second city employee to retire with a full pension. DH has been through alot. He survived having nearly their entire forced killed in a freak accident back in the 80s. In 2007 DH was hospitalized with septicemia and nearly died. The mayor and PC tried to force him to retire then. They stopped pressuring him when DH's doctor wrote the city a letter telling them if they did fire him, he (the doctor) would encourage DH to file a lawsuit and the doc promised to testify on DH's side. Then last year DH was injured working a traffic accident. He was improperly treated at the town's hospital (where the city insisted he be treated), developed deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms. Again the mayor and PC pressured him to retire, knowing they couldn't force him because he was on workmans comp and still is to this day. He still has a blood clot in his leg that refuses to dissolve.
A couple of weeks ago DH was involved in a car accident on the way to a call. Totally the other drivers fault as she tried to beat his lights and sirens through an intersection. Yesterday DH was involved in another accident, this time a slight one with no damage to either vehicle. Again, the other drivers fault as she tried to drive around him as he assisted a stranded motorist.
The police chief just called. He suspended DH for today, because of yesterday's accident. When he goes back to work he will be forced to work at the high school, as the school resource officer. They tried to force him into this position a few months ago, but DH said no thanks; he likes working the streets.
It's common knowledge in the department that the PC wants DH to retire so he can promote a young rookie with only one years experience, to DH's current position of sergeant. The rookie of course being a distant relative of the chief.
DH is super mad, but in his quiet SCARY way. I am hopping mad. I am encouraging him to go ahead and retire now. Making that nice rounded 30 years isn't worth it for the stress it causes to his health. I know he won't though. As my DSD just reminded me in a text message, trying to get DH to do something he doesn't want to is like asking the sun to stop shining.
Sorry for the long post. I'm just blowing off steam. DH has given that town nearly 30 years of his best work and is very well respected in town. Considered to be the only officer that can go into a part of town "The Quarters" without back up. Too bad the Who You Ares have a different agenda.
When DH does retire he will be the very first officer to retire fully vested in the history of the department AND will be only the second city employee to retire with a full pension. DH has been through alot. He survived having nearly their entire forced killed in a freak accident back in the 80s. In 2007 DH was hospitalized with septicemia and nearly died. The mayor and PC tried to force him to retire then. They stopped pressuring him when DH's doctor wrote the city a letter telling them if they did fire him, he (the doctor) would encourage DH to file a lawsuit and the doc promised to testify on DH's side. Then last year DH was injured working a traffic accident. He was improperly treated at the town's hospital (where the city insisted he be treated), developed deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms. Again the mayor and PC pressured him to retire, knowing they couldn't force him because he was on workmans comp and still is to this day. He still has a blood clot in his leg that refuses to dissolve.
A couple of weeks ago DH was involved in a car accident on the way to a call. Totally the other drivers fault as she tried to beat his lights and sirens through an intersection. Yesterday DH was involved in another accident, this time a slight one with no damage to either vehicle. Again, the other drivers fault as she tried to drive around him as he assisted a stranded motorist.
The police chief just called. He suspended DH for today, because of yesterday's accident. When he goes back to work he will be forced to work at the high school, as the school resource officer. They tried to force him into this position a few months ago, but DH said no thanks; he likes working the streets.
It's common knowledge in the department that the PC wants DH to retire so he can promote a young rookie with only one years experience, to DH's current position of sergeant. The rookie of course being a distant relative of the chief.
DH is super mad, but in his quiet SCARY way. I am hopping mad. I am encouraging him to go ahead and retire now. Making that nice rounded 30 years isn't worth it for the stress it causes to his health. I know he won't though. As my DSD just reminded me in a text message, trying to get DH to do something he doesn't want to is like asking the sun to stop shining.
Sorry for the long post. I'm just blowing off steam. DH has given that town nearly 30 years of his best work and is very well respected in town. Considered to be the only officer that can go into a part of town "The Quarters" without back up. Too bad the Who You Ares have a different agenda.
