Monday, December 29, 2003
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Some retired Pittsburgh police officers might soon have to see doctors so the city can make sure they really have the disabilities that some of them cited for leaving their jobs.
The Policemen's Relief and Pension Fund of the City of Pittsburgh is expected to recommend that a random sample of the disabled retirees be retested.
The city paid about $4 million in retirement benefits to about 1,100 retired officers last year. That includes money paid to about 300 officers who retired citing disabilities not connected to their police service.
Officers claiming those disabilities must be tested by two doctors picked by the city's pension board, plus a third doctor the officer can choose. Under the rules, they can be retested.
Officials said they don't believe people are lying, but they have seen a rise in the number of officers taking disability retirement.
"We've seen an increase in them in the last several years, and we want to make sure we're (covered)," retired Sgt. Peter Walsh, the pension fund's secretary-treasurer, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
If a retired officer if found to be able-bodied, he will have to return to work once a position is available or give up their pension. Police officers retire at half their pay, which can be anywhere from $25,000 a year or more.
It will cost about $3,000 for each retest. Officials will likely recommend testing a random sampling of about 5 to 10 percent of officers out on disability.
"It's a good practice, but it's got to be weighed against the cost, especially in these economic times," said James Wymard, the pension board's attorney.
The Fraternal Order of Police has not objected to the pension board's plan, said union attorney Bryan Campbell.