BOWLING GREEN, OH (Toledo News Now) -
Changes
in legislation affecting how and when police officers can retire are causing
some officers at Bowling Green State University's (BGSU) police department to
retire sooner than they planned.
Now
the police force is left searching for replacements.
"It's
a tough choice and I understand, we want them to do what's best for them," said
Police Chief Monica Moll. "But as you can imagine, having up to eight people
leave this year can be quite a challenge."
Among the changes are provisions that officers
with 25 years of service would have to decide to retire by the end of the year in
order to get grandfathered into current conditions - which provide health care
after retirement, as well as a costs of living increase yearly after leaving
the force.
These
changes have swayed at least three officers so far. Now the department has to juggle
some things around.
"We
just have to put some of the projects we were working on internally at the
department on the back burner," Moll explained. "Our priority is patrol Patrol
is the backbone of any police department. That's where you want your resources
and your personnel."
With
officers retiring, the department has room to hire fresh faces. They are
currently accepting applications for anywhere from two to eight new officers
until Friday, February 8.
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Several BGSU police may retire this year.
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