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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| State Rep. Chelsa Wagner |
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Wagner reintroduces bill to increase police presence
HARRISBURG, Sept. 28 – State Rep. Chelsa Wagner, D-Brookline, cited the budgetary strains facing municipalities and the many public safety needs of our communities as she reintroduced legislation today to allow retired police officers to return to part-time service.
"The rigors of full-time police work are taxing physically and mentally. But officers who retire in their 50s can still make great contributions with their knowledge and abilities," Wagner said.
Wagner said retired officers could perform traffic control, community relations and confidential clerical work that cannot be done by civilians, among many other potential duties. Similar programs in cities around the country have resulted in the return of hundreds of officers.
"Our police departments are stretched thin and municipal budgets are stretched thinner," Wagner said. 'In the City of Pittsburgh, our officers have had to respond to everything from historic flooding to massive construction projects. Meanwhile, some neighborhoods face an epidemic of violent crime. Retired officers can help to meet the wide range of duties our police fulfill."
The Return to Service Act (H.B. 1881) would allow retired police officers to return to part-time duty without losing their pension benefits. Under Wagner's bill, retired officers would be permitted to work up to 800 hours per year without losing benefits.
"Police departments need the help retired officers can provide. Communities are forgoing improved police protection because of the costs, and this can be one solution to the problem," Wagner said.
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