Great moments in public employment: sick leave lasts 22 years

A 62-year old cop in the small Rhode Island town of Warren has finally taken retirement after 22 years on sick leave. Legal wrangling went on over that period, during which the police detective could “receive his full pay and benefits, but never come to work.” He pointed to a state law guaranteeing full pay and benefits to officers injured on the job until they return to work. Warren has just 22 cops on its force and felt his approximate $114,000 in salary and benefits to be a burden. [Parker Gavigan, NBC 10 News]

2 Comments

  • One hopes he enjoy his retirement and pension for his decades of service.

    Bob

  • Sometimes it pays not to go to work.

    Brigadier General David G. Swaim was Judge Advocate General, U.S. Army from Feb. 18, 1881 to Dec. 22, 1894. In 1884 he was tried by Court Martial for several counts of financial improprieties and fraud, and convicted. He was sentenced to relief from duty and forfeiture of 1/2 of his pay. He continued to hold his rank of Brigadier General and the position of Judge Advocate General, U.S. Army, for the next 10+ years. In late1894, President Cleveland pardoned him and reinstated him to duty at full pay. He retired a few days later. BG Swaim remains the longest serving TJAG of the U.S. Army.