FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE

Carroll County, Lodge #20

 

 

 

 

Current Issues Facing FOP 20

 

County Police Force

 

On October 4, 2007, the Board of County Commissioners voted to begin a three-year transition to a county police force. The new department would be led by an appointed police chief. Commissioners directed a task force to be established to lead the transition. It was decided on August 7, 2008, to delay enactment of the ordinance that would create the force.

 

In August 2008, the Board of Carroll County Commissioners decided that a task force of law enforcement officers should be formed "to develop a model for a future Carroll County Police agency that is neither the Maryland State Police nor the Carroll County Sheriff's Office utilizing available resources."

Facilitated by Chief of Administrative Services Cindy Parr, the workgroup began meeting on Oct. 14, 2008. Its members are:
 

Unified Law Enforcement Final Report Final Report presented to Board of County Commissioners on 9/24/2009

Letter sent from Lodge President to Carroll County Times Reporter Ryan Marshall in reference to Unified Law Enforcement Committee presentation to Carroll County Board of Commissioners on September 24, 2009

     Mr. Marshall, the recent front page articles in the Times concerning the county police force issue only reflects what the commissioners want the citizens to know. Ms. Parr's figures are deceptive and her statements of saving money over time is pure speculation.
     The arrogance of the commissioners and their bureau chiefs has once again sent a clear message of disregard for the voice of the county law enforcement members and the wishes of the citizens. They have continually disseminated questionable figures and vague information. For instance, why are they duplicating services in hiring a command staff for a county police force when they have a command staff in place at the Sheriff's Office. They mention the cost of a Chief and Chief Deputy. Where are the Majors, Captains, Etc.
     Where is the comparison of expanding the Sheriff's Office?
     The proposed changes to the pension plan gives one the impression a deputy sheriff will receive 60 % @ 25 years and a disability provision. Look closely. This plan is not even close to the industry standard and the disability provision in an insult.
     The Sheriff has the figures of expanding the Sheriff's Office and Amanda Dell can supply you with the new pension package.
     We did not stop the commissioners in Annapolis because they were right. We stopped them because they desired complete control in an area they have no expertise and failed to remember who elected them.
 

Respectfully Submitted,

John Shippee, President FOP # 20.

Response:

     I think it's important to note that the numbers in the articles reflect the numbers that were in the work group's report, and were meant to look at the costs of creating a new police department and weren't intended as a comprehensive look at all the available options. However, you certainly raise several valid points in your email. Please be assured that the Times plans to cover this situation much more as the time for a decision draws nearer, and I look forward to working with both the FOP and the sheriff's office to address any concerns you and your members might have. Thanks for taking the time to write, and please feel free to contact me any time with your concerns. Regards,
 
Ryan Marshall
Carroll County Times  

 

Sheriff's Office Pension

 

On April 2, 2009 the Board of Commissioners announced their intention to proceed forward with the implementation of an enhanced pension plan for those employed as certified law enforcement officers of the Sheriff’s Office.  The proposed plan would be effective on October 1.  A letter from the Board and a brief summary showing the basic features of the proposed plan are below.  Since the proposed plan differs from the previous proposal in some significant ways (for example, in the handling of past service), it will again need to move through the public hearing process. As part of that process, work sessions will be scheduled, at which time details of the plan will be discussed and explained.

 

Letter to Certified Officers:

April 02, 2009

TO: Certified Law Enforcement Officers, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office

We are pleased to inform you that Carroll County will be implementing an enhanced pension system for certified law enforcement officers at the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office. The Board of

County Commissioners is committed to providing you, the men and women who protect our residents each day, with a responsible and competitive retirement package.

 

Our target date for the new plan to begin is October 1, 2009. If you are employed as a certified law enforcement officer on or after that date, you will be eligible to enroll.

 

Under the plan, an officer could retire after 25 years of service (at any age), or at age 55 with at least 15 years of service. The guaranteed monthly benefit during retirement will increase

significantly under the new plan, and a disability benefit will be available for officers severely injured in the line of duty.

 

The basics of the proposed plan are attached. The proposal will be subject to review through the public hearing process and additional details and information will be available to you at

work sessions in the near future. Please contact our Department of Human Resources at 410-386-2129 with any questions.

 

We value your service and dedication toward making Carroll County a great place to live, work and play. Thank you for your continued patience as we move forward toward implementation of this retirement plan enhancement.

Sincerely,

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF CARROLL COUNTY, MARYLAND

Julia W. Gouge

Dean L. Minnich

Michael D. Zimmer

Basic Plan Summary:

Inception Date

October 1, 2009

Retirement Eligibility

25 years of service or Age 55 with at least 15 years of service

Final Average Salary (“FAS”)

Average annualized base salary earned during highest three (3) consecutive years of service

Benefit Formula

For certified law officer service after October 1, 2009:

For service in career years 1-15: 1.9% of FAS per year

For service in career years 16-25: 2.2% of FAS per year

For service in career years 26 or more: 2.0% of FAS per year

For certified law officer service before October 1, 2009:

The above calculations will also be applied to 30% of an officer’s prior service as a

certified law officer. The remaining of the officer’s prior service will continue to be

calculated under the present pension plan formula of 0.7% per year.

Maximum Benefit:

60% of FAS

Disability Provision:

Available for those catastrophically and permanently disabled in the line-of-duty.

Line-of-Duty Death Benefit:

Monthly pension

401(k) Plan Eligibility:

Officers still eligible to make contributions; employer contributions will no longer be

made to this plan.

Officer Contribution Level:

8% of base pay, pre-tax

 

 

602 Johahn Drive

Westminster, MD 21158

410-876-0115

Fax 410-783-4771

http://www.fop20.com

 

Page last updated: 09/30/2009

 

Copyright 2005.  Carroll County Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #20.  All rights reserved.  FOP Name, FOP Star Logo is property of Grand Lodge.  Any use of said name and/or logo is strictly prohibited without the expressed written consent of the GRAND LODGE.