Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon said she will conduct a “thorough” review of the city?s pension policies after a controversial pension was awarded to former Deputy Police Commissioner Marcus Brown.
“I?ve asked for a review of the pension system and how this happened. I have concerns about the way the process was handled,” she said.
At issue is the $55,529 annual pension approved for Brown even though he did not complete the 20 years of service required to receive a pension.
In a Jan. 29 letter, Police Commissioner Leonard Hamm told Brown he notified pension officials of Brown?s “layoff” from the department effective March 29 ? which under an exception in Brown?s contract would allow him to receive a pension ? even though Brown accepted a job as chief of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police three days earlier.
“The above action … makes you eligible for retirement benefits,” Hamm?s letter states.
But the mayor said she has been told Brown?s case is not unique.
Meanwhile, other city leaders called for more drastic action.
“I think we should suspend this pension,” City Councilman Ken Harris said. “We have to beg to open recreation centers, and yet they throw taxpayer money out the window like this.”
Pension board officials responding to Harris? comments said they could not withdraw a pension unilaterally.
“Based upon the opinion of our in-house counsel, we cannot rescind or revise the pension,” said Stephan Fugate, chairman of the Fire and Police Employees? Retirement System Board of Trustees.
Fugate also reiterated his frustration
“They?re abusing the system,” he said. “It is not up to the police department to decide who is eligible for a pension benefit. This has never happened at the fire department.”
Brown declined to comment.
“It?s a Baltimore City police issue,” MdTA Communications Director Cheryl Sparks said.
