July 12, 2002
PBA wants ex-cops to hit the books,
teach children
Union
leaders lobbying lawmakers to allow retired officers to become teachers
while collecting pensions
By
Devlin Barrett
Associated Press
Up against the blackboard, kid!
Some
retired police officers may soon be turning in their badges for
lesson books under a new proposal to allow ex-officers to work as
teachers in the city's public school system.
The
police union, the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, is trying
to convince state legislators in Albany to pass legislation that
would permit retired cops to become teachers while still collecting
their police pensions.
Under
current law, a retired officer is not allowed to take another city
job while receiving pension checks.
The
measure, which would give a whole new meaning to the phrase "You
have the right to remain silent," was moved through a City
Council committee Wednesday and now requires authorization from
the state government.
"It
would be a win for our retirees," said PBA President Pat Lynch,
"and a big win for the city's school system, which is suffering
a significant shortage of teachers."
The
union noted that most of its retirees come out of the ranks with
a college degree -- and plenty of real-life experience that would
come in handly inside an unruly classroom.
PBA
officials said they believe teaching is an attractive profession
to many of their retired members.
"Most
of these police officers retire when they're relatively young, in
their 40s," said PBA spokesman Al O'Leary.
"They
would be perfectly suited for the job of teaching."
Board
of Education officials estimate that if the measure were approved,
it would draw about 100 ex-officers a year into classrooms.
"We
obviously applaud any type of effort that would increase the number
of qualified teachers in our classrooms," said Board of Ed
spokesman Kevin Ortiz.
A
spokesman for the United Federation of Teachers declined to comment
on the proposal.
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