BOSTON — Two police officers who were forced to retire due to line of duty injuries are advocating for state legislation that would improve benefits for all Massachusetts public safety officers, including corrections officers and firefighters. One piece of legislation, which was proposed by state Sen. Cindy Friedman, would increase compensation from 72% to 100% of regular for officers forced to retire due to a violent, accidental disability. Once they reach the age of mandatory retirement, they would become eligible for 80% of their pension, including cost of living increases.
“We expect our officers to show up for us when we need them. I think it’s fair that we support them,” Friedman said. “To put this in context: since 1947, roughly 40 municipal police officers would have been automatically eligible to receive the benefits associated with this legislation.”