After the recent Los Angeles fires, it was revealed that for years, valuable water from Northern California was diverted away from Southern California and disposed of in the ocean. Therefore, when wildfires overwhelmed and ravaged Los Angeles, all the diverted water that could have been used was unavailable.
Sadly, a similar kind of waste is happening in law enforcement: across the country, retired officers are routinely ignored as a resource — even though they represent a population with a fountain of knowledge, skills and experience. And in many cases, still possess a desire to help.
This oversight is especially troubling at a time when agencies are experiencing shortages and struggling to recruit and retain personnel. Retired officers could help fill critical gaps.
Consider this: if an officer was a valuable resource on Thursday, when they were department members — wouldn’t they still be a valuable resource on Friday, and beyond, after they retire?
Of course, not all officers have a desire to continue serving after retirement and there is no dishonor in that. Retired officers have earned the freedom to look elsewhere for fulfillment.
Likewise, some agencies have already recognized the value of their retired officers and found ways to meaningfully include those who wish to stay involved.
However, many retired officers would gladly continue serving but simply haven’t been asked. To prove this point, look around: how many of your retired officers now serve law enforcement in one capacity or another — just not for your agency?
Ways retired police officers can help departments
There are many ways retired officers who wish to stay involved can be utilized by your agency, such as:
Any time you must take a regularly assigned officer from his or her duties for a lengthy assignment, having a retired police officer reserve means you can call in one or more retirees to relieve your officers.
In order to recruit these officers, agencies could offer:
- Per-hour pay for part-time work
- Maintenance of law enforcement certification via required training updates
- Continuation of the department’s health insurance
Hurdles and liability issues
If your department has never utilized retired officers in this way, you may encounter some institutional or legal hurdles. These can vary widely depending on your state or agency, but here are a few common examples:
- Re-hiring restrictions: Some rules prevent agencies from re-hiring retirees immediately after separation. However, many of these restrictions include sunset clauses or waiting periods that eventually allow re-employment.
- Retirement income limits: Pension systems may cap how much a retiree can earn from the agency without affecting their benefits.
- Contractual complications: Hiring part-time personnel can sometimes create friction with existing union or departmental contracts.
- Low interest from retirees: In some cases, few or no retired officers may be interested in returning, especially if they feel retirement freed them from a difficult work environment. If all retiring officers feel that way, leadership should consider why and make internal changes accordingly.
Another barrier that’s often raised is liability — a word sometimes used to reflexively shut down new ideas. But all employees carry some liability risk. A recently retired officer who served honorably and without issue for decades should, in fact, be among the most trustworthy candidates for limited-duty support roles.
Conclusion
When someone commits their entire working life to faithfully serve as a police officer, then retires — yet still has the desire and ability to serve — shouldn’t their agency offer a way for them to continue contributing?
Why should those who proved to be valuable employees have to go elsewhere, when they still have so much to offer?
A retired officer may no longer serve with the same stamina they had in their 20s, but that should not overshadow the many ways they can still serve. Just because an officer is retired from service does not mean they are tired of service.
If your agency needs help, there are retired officers ready and willing to step forward.
All you have to do is ask.
NEXT: Transitioning into retirement from law enforcement? It’s more than a career change — it’s a life transformation. In the video below, Gordon Graham offers tips on emotionally preparing for this new chapter.
