State Police Association Says Pension Formula, Incentives Hampering Recruitment

The State Police Association of Massachusetts urged the Joint Committee on Public Service to consider changes to State Police pension rules and incentives to improve recruitment and retention.

Brian Williams, president of the association, told the committee that changes made in 2012 to retirement formulas for State Police members — including requiring some current members to complete 30 years of creditable service to qualify for a 75% pension while earlier hires were eligible after 25 years — have contributed to departures to municipal departments and the private sector. “During my first 10 years as a trooper, we had never heard of anyone leaving the state police other than to retire,” Williams said. “However, in the last 10 years, we have seen far too many highly qualified troopers leave the state police to join local police or fire departments, enter into the private sector, or join trade unions.”

Williams asked the committee to consider House 2910 (relative to State Police pensions) and to address pay differentials, details pay, and education incentives, which he said have been reduced. He and association members argued that addressing pension and compensation differences would help reverse the trend of departures and stabilize staffing.

The committee did not take action on the pension bills at the hearing; Williams said the association will submit written testimony on additional measures. Legislators present thanked witnesses and indicated they would take the concerns into account as bills move through committee.