Meeting Time: August 30, 2022 at 9:00am HST
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Agenda Item

GREAT-4(2) Reso 22-200 MAUI COUNTY COUNCIL LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE (RESOLUTION 22-200, RELATING TO REMOVAL OF THE MINIMUM AGE REQUIREMENT FOR POLICE OFFICER RETIREMENT) (GREAT-4(2))

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    Guest User about 2 years ago

    • Policing is a physically, mentally and emotionally demanding profession, which makes it less likely that officers will continue service to meet the current retirement eligibility.
    • By age 55, the physical nature of our job has taken a heavy toll on our bodies.
    • Other agencies offer police officers service time if we move to their departments,
    allowing us to retire at a more reasonable age without suffering financial penalties.
    • The current retirement eligibility rules will cause more officers to leave, placing an
    additional burden on those who stay. This will make the physical/emotional stresses of
    the job even worse.
    • Requiring 25 years of service and 55 years of age will discourage those who want to
    choose policing as a profession a little later in life. This will decrease the diversity of candidates and experience we hire from.

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    Guest User about 2 years ago

    I support this bill would definitely help with hiring new officers and retention.

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    Guest User about 2 years ago

    I support this proposal. It would help current officers as well as in attracting new hires.

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    Guest User about 2 years ago

    I agree that 25 years is a solid amount of time to serve our community in the way that we do. Give us some time to enjoy our retirement and families!

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    Guest User about 2 years ago

    By age 55, the physical nature of our job has taken a heavy toll on our bodies. Typically police officers don't live past a few years from retirement, the job takes a too both physically and mentally. Cut the years of service. Cut the minimum age of retirement so we can enjoy the retirement that we've earned.

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    Guest User about 2 years ago

    We need this if we want to recruit more officers. 30 years is too long to be working as a law enforcement officer

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    Guest User about 2 years ago

    Support. At the end of the day it's about recruitment and retention. Departments everywhere are understaffed. The current retirement only serves to encourage people to transfer to mainland Departments or leave the profession all together.

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    Guest User about 2 years ago

    Support

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    Guest User about 2 years ago

    I support this bill and resolution to remove the 55 year age requirement for full retirement. A firm 25 year service to my community keeps myself and other officers sharp and focused toward that goal to finish well. Whereas forcing officers like myself to work 33 years to get the same relief of someone who joined at 30 years of age, would ultimately lower moral and discourage young officers to join law enforcement sooner than necessary.

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    Guest User about 2 years ago

    I am sure this will help recruitment and retention. It is also healthier for those who would serve the community. 25 years is a long time to be exposed to the trauma associated with law enforcement.

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    Guest User about 2 years ago

    leave it, status quo!

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    Guest User about 2 years ago

    Fully support this bill!

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    Guest User about 2 years ago

    I fully support this bill.

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    Guest User about 2 years ago

    I fully support this

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    Guest User about 2 years ago

    I am in support.

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    Guest User about 2 years ago

    I fully support this measure. As it currently stands police departments all across Hawaii and especially Maui are experiencing challenges with hiring and retention. A large driving force behind these problems is that there a much better compensation, retirement, and benefit plans being offered by other mainland departments. Most mainland departments are on a 25 year retirement system, offer higher wages relative to the cost of living, and some are even offering upwards of $20,000 bonuses for certified officers to lateral to their department. The fact is that departments all across the nation are fighting for quality candidates. In order for Hawaii to continue to have a quality and staffed police force, we need to start competing with the benefits being offered by other mainland departments. If we fail to do that, officers will feel less supported by their community and government, and will unfortunately leave to departments that offer better support systems and benefits for their officers. We are fighting for every last officer we can get and right now we’re losing. We too may reach a point where 9-1-1 calls go unanswered because we don’t have the staffing numbers to uphold adequate response times. Investing in a better retirement system will not only incentivize current officers to stay in Hawaii and continue to serve our great community, but it will encourage others to become the next generation of officers that we so desperately need. We need this bill to pass in order for Hawaii to remain the paradise so many of us know it be. Please save our officers in order to save our community.

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    Guest User about 2 years ago

    I’m in support.

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    Guest User about 2 years ago

    I am in full support of this bill!

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    Guest User about 2 years ago

    I’m in support

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    Guest User about 2 years ago

    I am in support of this bill.