COVINGTON, Ky. — Police departments around Kentucky are facing staffing challenges, and trying to come up with creative ways to address them.
A new law signed last year is giving departments a chance to bring back familiar faces that cost less than new recruits.
Marcus Jordan has worn lots of different hats during his long career with the Covington Police Department, which started in 1997. He’s risen through the ranks from patrol up to assistant chief.
“I never thought about being a policeman when they hired me back in 1997. But I love it. I’m not going to lie to you. That’s why I like patrol. I like being around people, I like going out, and it’s different every day,” Jordan said.
But last year, he decided to hang up his hat.
“Once I had about 26 years on, it was just time to retire at that point,” he said.
It was mostly a financial decision, Jordan said. He was ready to take advantage of his retirement benefits and get a civilian job, with no plans to return.
But something was pulling him back.
“To tell you the truth, I really, really enjoy being a policeman. After 26 years, it’s just what I am. It’s what I am. I know you’re not supposed to say that, but it’s just the truth. I enjoy it. I enjoy patrol. That’s what I like doing,” Jordan said.
He applied for the job just like anyone else.
“I did everything that a brand new person does. So until I actually went to the city council meeting where they voted to hire me back, I was still, ‘am I going to get to go back? Am I not going to get to go back?’” he said. “I didn’t want to work for anybody else. This is where I wanted to be at, and they gave me the opportunity. So I took it.”
Now he’s back as a patrol officer after just a few months of retirement.
The reason he’s able to is a new law that allows departments to rehire retired officers who continue to receive their retirement and insurance benefits, but don’t accrue additional benefits.
Lt. Justin Bradbury said it’s helping to offset recruiting challenges that Covington and many other departments are facing, and saves the city money.
“This has been great for us, because it allows a new pool of talent that we already know is going to do a great job to come back and be a part of the department once again,” he said. “The amount of money they pay for a brand new officer in the form of benefits and retirement funds and all that is actually far more than what they would have to pay a retiree returning.”
A full complement of police officers for CPD would be 114 officers. The department currently sits at 110. Seven of those are rehired retirees.
Jordan said the reputation of police has taken hits in recent years, which has hurt recruiting. But he still thinks it’s a career worth pursuing.
“Without a doubt, I would encourage people to do it. I think you have to do your homework. You need to make sure the community’s a match for you, and you’re a match for the community,” he said. “I feel responsible for Covington. I do. I feel like I have a responsibility to do what I can to be here for them.”
Bradbury said, in addition to their regular pay, rehired retired officers receive a $15,000 annual stipend.