BOSTON — State Sen. Cindy F. Friedman testified in support of a bill that would allow public safety officers who retire due to traumatic injury on the job to 100% of their benefits. Currently, officers who retire due to accidental injury receive 72% of their compensation at time of injury, according to a news release.
The bill was filed by Friedman’s predecessor, Sen. Ken Donnelly. “It is unconscionable and, frankly, insulting that we force police officers who have suffered a life-altering injury to go through such a burdensome and emotionally straining process to receive the benefits necessary to sustain themselves and their families after such a tragic event,” Friedman said.
Since 1947, there would have been around 40 public officers able to receive full benefits if this legislation already existed.