The City Council’s Contracts Committee Tuesday night approved a five-year deal for Police Chief AJ Perez, amending the document to include payouts for unused holidays and sick time accumulated from his decades of police service.
Perez’s salary, $145,428, is the same pay as he received while acting chief. Mayor Joe Ganim recently appointed Perez to permanent chief from a list of three finalists. The contract now goes to the full City Council for expected approval.
More on this from CT Post reporter Brian Lockhart:
In March 2017, Deputy Chief James Honis, who had a reputation for only being out sick six days total during his 47 years on the beat, retired with a $308,639 payout–after taxes. Honis’ gross, the city said at the time, was $453,814.
Perez, in a brief interview following Tuesday’s vote, joked he would not be receiving the same amount of money as Honis, but estimated it will be six figures.
“It’s gotta be,” Perez said. “It’s a long time.” He said that during his first 10 years patrolling Bridgeport, he used up all of his holidays, but then was advised by a partner to plan for the future by not taking all of those days off.
… (Associate City Attorney) Anastasi emphasized to council members that Perez, because of changes to police officer pensions, will not enjoy a benefit provided his predecessor, Joseph Gaudett. Gaudett and then-Fire Chief Brian Rooney were allowed to collect their pensions while still working.
“He doesn’t get to collect the pension as well as the salary,” Anastasi said.
Full story here.
What a surprise… NOT.
I find this very interesting, Hamilton Burger playing both sides of this issues of double payments, I hope the City Council has the facts in their hand and taking what Hamilton Burger as the whole truth. Here’s what he had to say:
“Anastasi emphasized to council members that Perez, because of changes to police officer pensions, will not enjoy a benefit provided his predecessor, Joseph Gaudett. Gaudett and then-Fire Chief Brian Rooney were allowed to collect their pensions while still working.”
“He doesn’t get to collect the pension as well as the salary,” Anastasi said.
It was the City Attorney’s office along with David Dunn that allowed Police Joseph Gaudett and then-Fire Chief Brian Rooney to collect their pensions while still working. Both men were made “Provisional” Chiefs which gives them the rights of a bonafide chief as stated in the City Charter thereby allowing Ronney and Gaudett to retire and receive their pension then they pass the chief exam and the mayor appointed them to a five year contract allowing them to get paid twice. This has nothing to do with union contracts. A.J. Perez was not made a “Provisional” Chief by Ganim.
https://youtu.be/bHVM6XZdrUY