Police Assn.: Calif. Governor's Pension Plan Is 'Wrong'

A California association representing the state's officers said Gov. Jerry Brown's "wrong" pension reform plan announced Tuesday would impose "draconion cuts" on middle-class families.

In a statement, the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) , which represents more than 64,000 public safety members and 910 associations, said it was disappointed in Brown's plan to impose severe public safety benefit reductions.

"We all feel the effects of an economy hit by the losses on Wall Street, and PORAC members aim to be part of the solution," said Lt. Ron Cottingham, PORAC president. "However, these mandates from the Governor are wrong."

The association said it hoped pension reform "would occur at the bargaining table." PORAC members have agreed to higher employee contribution formulas, new pension formulas for new hires, and foregoing pay raises.

Under terms of the plan, officers would be required to work until age 57 to receive their full pension payout. An officer could earn up to 2.7% of their annual salary for every year of public employment. The plan would also cap an officer's salary that could be used to calculate pensions at $130,000.

"The fact that the Governor expects public safety officers to work a beat until nearly 60 years old is wrong," Cottingham said. "These draconian cuts will hurt all Californians—public safety should be the first priority of government. PORAC believes if your family isn’t safe, nothing else matters."

Related:

Public Safety Unions Oppose Calif. Gov.'s 'Radical' Pension Plan

CHP Agrees to Pension Reduction for New Hires