EUGENE, Ore. (AP) - Eugene Police Chief Pete Kerns has announced his retirement.
The 56-year-old Kerns cited possible changes to the state pension system as reason to leave now and lock in his retirement income.
Kerns told The Register-Guard (https://bit.ly/2ocFZHX ) that he and his wife have been watching legislation regarding Public Employee Retirement System reforms and were concerned that lawmakers could soon pass changes.
One bill before the Legislature would cap at $100,000 a public employee’s salary for purposes of calculating their pension. Kerns’ annual salary is $142,000.
Kerns has been police chief since 2008. Though his retirement takes effect in April or May, he plans to stay on until a new chief is hired.
Kerns worked his way up the ranks after being hired as a full-time patrol officer in 1983.
Law enforcement personnel in Oregon are due full retirement benefits after 25 years.
___
Information from: The Register-Guard, https://www.registerguard.com
Please read our comment policy before commenting.