Should This Officer Be Allowed To Retire?

Yesterday, we learned that David Sherman, an Omaha policeman, was arrested on domestic assault charges. What is interesting is that he was allowed to submit his retirement paperwork so that he can collect his pension, regardless of the fact that he is not eligible for retirement until March. According to the article in the Omaha World-Herald, officers are always allowed to retire instead of being fired, and the officers will collect their pensions regardless of whether they are fired or face criminal charges.

Frankly, I think this is absurd. I can't say at the moment whether people in the private sector can collect their pensions if they are fired or have committed a crime involving their company. But assuming that they could, officers should be held to a higher standard. Let's face it. Anytime an officer commits a wrongdoing, the fact that he or she is a cop is part of it. In this case, it appears that Sherman has used his position to investigate people to harass them. If true, should he really be allowed to collect his pension? And frankly, how did he get away with this behavior so many times?

I love this quote by Councilman Chuck Siegerson. "He said that employees would not want to work for the city and give 100 percent if they were constantly worried about losing their pension." Well, if you are worried about keeping your pension, then don't break the law!

The one good part about him getting his pension is the probability that his wife will get a cut of it in the divorce.