Death benefits in danger for police, fire officials

Redding Record Searchlight
Christina Lucarotti, Record Searchlight
April 6, 2005

Two proposals backed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to reform public pension plans met opposition Tuesday from local law enforcement officers and firefighters who would lose their death and disability benefits if the measures went into effect.

Labor representatives, along with about two dozen Redding firefighters, held a morning press conference outside Shasta County Superior Court to speak out against Assembly Constitutional Amendment 5 and the Fair and Fiscally Responsible Retirement Act.

Both measures would replace the current benefits plan with a contributions plan, such as a 401(k), beginning July 1, 2007.

Retired Redding police officer Chris Darker said that the proposals are flawed and would not save taxpayers money. At the same time, he said, eliminating death and disability benefits would deter potential firefighters and peace officers from working in public safety.

"I think its irresponsible of someone to put their life on the line and not have a contingency plan," said Darker, business manager for the United Public Employees of California, Local 792.

If an officer or firefighter is killed in the line of duty, the family receives a lifetime benefit of half of his or her salary, Darker said.

"I think the only reason I could do my job as a police officer and you can do yours," Darker said to the firefighters, "is that I knew my family would be taken care of."

Under the proposed changes, a family would get back the amount of money that had been contributed to the retirement fund.

Representatives for the group Citizens to Save California, which supports the measures, did not return telephone calls seeking comment.

Widow Gayle McKnight of Sacramento spoke Tuesday about her family's experience after her husband, James, was killed while working as a police officer.

"My family was so traumatized and continues to be traumatized," said McKnight, who has also spoken in the San Francisco Bay area.

At the time of her husband's death in 1990, McKnight had three children, ages 10, 13 and 16. In the years following, she said, her daughter had to be put in a mental hospital, her son attempted suicide and her father-in-law killed himself.

"I know my story sounds bad. What I'm trying to tell you is I'm not the only one," McKnight said during the press conference. "I would not have survived without a benefit."

McKnight said the proposals would not affect her family but that she is concerned about future survivors of officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.

"The state is not going to go bankrupt providing this benefit," McKnight said.

Shasta County Undersheriff Larry Schaller, who did not attend the press conference, said he would not support the measures as they are currently written but that he is not against reasonable reform.

"The California State Sheriff's Association has taken the position to work with the governor to address those issues that do require reform, at the same time protecting retirement benefits for peace officers and firefighters," Schaller said.