Retiring Police Chief To Get Severance Pay

We’ve become familiar with severance packages given to top business executives and high-level education administrators when they leave their jobs. It appears that the retiring police chief of Colorado Springs will receive a similar payout.

Steve Cox, the chief executive officer for Mayor Steve Bach, confirmed on Tuesday that Chief Richard Myers will get a portion of his $154,000 annual salary as severance pay when Myers steps down next month.

However, Cox said because of personnel laws that provide Myers with a seven-day grace period, the amount of the severance pay won’t be announced until next week. The amount of a severance package varies depending on whether an employee retires, resigns or is terminated.

The decision generated mixed reaction from city residents Tuesday.

“As a taxpayer I understand that we’ll be paying for it,” said Dana Brown. “But I do think that he deserves something. He’s the chief of police.”

Dennis Williams disagreed. “I think that money can go to better uses in other areas,” he said. “With all of the budget cuts that have been going on in our city.”

Some residents said Myers deserves severance pay because he fared well in a high-stress job.

“He catches hell from everybody,” said Don Rickey. “No matter what he does, it’s not right.”