Letters: Police chiefs’ golden parachutes

Re “Police chiefs get big final payouts,” July 11

My primary reaction is that this is yet more evidence of the chasm that exists between what is provided for public employees and what is available in the private sector.

How can anyone honestly believe that a contract providing for three months of vacation a year is justifiable? It’s no wonder that these police chiefs have so much unused vacation and sick time that can be cashed out on retirement, as there is no way that anyone in a nonclerical position can do his job while being absent 25% of the time.

It’s time to recognize that our elected officials have no ability to negotiate contracts of this type and that this level of compensation and benefits is simply not sustainable.

And people wonder why there is so much opposition to increased taxes.

Howard Z. Berman

Los Angeles

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