Grovetown police chief pushes for Ga. law enforcement retirement plan
GROVETOWN, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Grovetown Police Chief Jamey Kitchens is pushing for a statewide law enforcement retirement plan in Georgia.
They wear the badge and take an oath to protect and serve.
But, at the end of their career, some in law enforcement don’t think they’re getting back what they’ve put in.
That’s partly because Georgia doesn’t have a state-wide retirement plan for them.
One local chief is pushing to change that. When Kitchens isn’t leading his officers, he’s scratching his head.
“The state of Georgia doesn’t have a state law enforcement retirement,” said Kitchens. “I don’t mean just state law enforcement. I’m talking about law enforcement in general. The reason I brought this up is that every state that touches Georgia does.”
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Something he says doesn’t add up.
“For those of us in law enforcement, and have been in law enforcement, i’m approaching three decades myself, this is something that’s always been repeatedly shot down or dismissed,” said Kitchens. “Every time it’s been brought up, it’s been ‘oh this will never happen in Georgia.’”
Kitchens says there are plenty of models for state lawmakers to look into.
“We aren’t reinventing the wheel,” he said. “Go to any of these states and ask them how they’re doing it.”
District 125 Representative Gary Richardson agrees.
“I think the average citizen is not even aware that there’s not a long-term retirement plan, a state-wide retirement plan,” said Richardson.
As the legislative session continues, so will Richardson’s push for a state-wide retirement plan.
“I’m interested in finding out why we aren’t there. What is the hold up?” said Richardson.
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Kitchens says agencies are fighting to hire and retain qualified employees. Right now, the Grovetown Police Department is working to fill positions.
“So if there has ever been a time to come to the table to and say what can we do to recruit these folks and bring some back, offer up something that says, ‘Ok I can do 25 years and I can still retire as a young person and go do something else, if I want to,’” said Kitchens.
There is the Peace Officer Annuity and Benefit Fund that’s for all law enforcement in the state.
After 30 years, you get $950 per month when you retire.
The Georgia Sheriff’s Association says it’s for the retirement fund, but says it comes down to having the funding to kick start it and keep it going.
We reached out to Governor Brian Kemp’s office twice to get his thoughts on the subject.
We’ll let you know when we hear back.
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