Pension Spiking Revealed Again

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Sergeant Retires at $84,000 Per Year
Posted: 10:36 PM Jan 6, 2009
Last Updated: 10:50 PM Jan 6, 2009
Reporter: Brian Mastre
Email Address: sixonline@wowt.com

111 comments

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For more than a year, Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey has said he wants to end spiking. Later this month, another case of it comes before the Omaha Police/Fire Retirement Board.

Spiking is when a police officer or firefighter works a lot of overtime in their last year before retirement to boost his or her pension.

Recently, Sergeant Gerald Baggett, 45, retired from the Omaha Police Department after 22 years on the job.

From 2003-2005, he never earned more than 70-thousand dollars a year. Then he joined the gang unit -- that's when the overtime became available in big chunks.

With a base salary of nearly $67,000, Baggett earned $90,000 in 2006.
In 2007...$122,000. In 2008...$113,000.

Pensions are based on the highest *26* consecutive pay periods. From the summer of 2007 to the summer of 2008... Gerald Baggett was paid $134,000... The retirement formula means he'll get $84,000 a year for the rest of his life.

"We have heard from the public that this is something they don't see in their own homes," said Mayor Fahey's Chief-of-Staff Joe Gudenrath. "It is allowable under this contract but we need to address it."

We asked the Omaha Police Department about the spiking. A spokeswoman tells Channel 6 News that Sergeant Baggett worked an average of 13-hours of overtime a week for that year...and that his overtime was assigned and approved by his bosses.

"It's absolutely outside the norm," said Omaha Police Union President Aaron Hanson. "I think it's an indicator, as we've been saying for awhile, it's a system that needs to be revamped."

Hanson went on to say that everyone knows that it's been a busy 2 years in the gang unit because of the increased violence in Omaha. In fact, last year Omaha recorded its highest number of homicides.

Both sides -- the union and the mayor -- seem to want to end spiking.
But because of failed negotiations...and litigation -- it continues more than a year after a record number of officers retired.

Officers contribute 15-percent of their paychecks to the pension. The city puts in a portion too.

Officers don't pay into social security nor do they collect it. For many of taxpayers, Social Security is the only pension.

The average annual Social Security payout to Nebraska and Iowa retirees -- $12,000.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Gary on May 20, 2009 at 06:32 PM
This pension problem signed by Mayor Fahey is his biggest blunder in his administration. How could he not see this coming and now asks the legislature for help!! Taxpayers should not have to bail out the pension deficit.

Posted by: Traci on Feb 23, 2009 at 05:32 PM
First of all I do not know why the solution can not be as simple as taking an average of all of their years on the force to determine the pension amount. Secondly, these police officers have taken freezes when the city is in trouble and their bills continue to rise. So in order to account for the higher cost of living many of them have had to work overtime jobs (no matter what you want to call it - spiking or not) and they deserve that overtime pay. They have thankless jobs and there are so many people that want to complain about them but when you are in trouble they have no problem calling for their help. It makes me sick to know that.

Posted by: To William on Jan 29, 2009 at 11:31 PM
William, In reading your comments I detect a tone of jealousy. If you think being a police officer for the city if Omaha is all gravy you can quit being jealous and go to city personnel and fill out an application to be an officer. With your high level of intelligence and ability to know everything you will surely be hired. In no time begin to collect great paychecks that are inflated by all of the overtime assignments that require you to do nothing. I am sure your motivation is used only for complaining. Who knows, If you actualy did become an officer you could join the union and help to solve the pension problem instead of just crying about it.

Posted by: Mike on Jan 19, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Obviously the pension system needs to be fixed. No city employee should be able to retire and get more in their pension than their yearly base salary. The only people disagreeing with that would be the police and fire unions. Ultimately the police and fire employees will end up coming to the city residents for a bailout when they have drained their pension funds and the current employees won't have any money available to retire. They can thank the retirees that took advantage of the system and the union leadership that encouraged it. Are the elected officials off the hook, no, but the retirees are the ones taking advantage of the system. I guess it is what this country has become...get what you can for you and screw everyone else...

Posted by: Blame on Jan 9, 2009 at 08:31 AM
OPD and OFD both have a 'racket' going. I would seriously like to know 'when' spiking was introduced and by WHO! Both OPD and OFD are 2year olds throwing a temper tantrum because they can't get their way. Spiking needs to be closed and Ins. needs to be paid by OFD. Oh and FireChiefs needs to stop allowing 'senior'employees from paying rookies to cover their shift!!

Posted by: D on Jan 8, 2009 at 03:17 PM
TO To D on Jan 7, 2009 at 04:31 PM: I think you have totally misconstrued my remarks. Class warfare??? Maybe if the posting was about someone such as Warren Buffet. I was simply pointing out the unfairness of someone being able to retire at 45 with a lifetime pension more than average person makes, and then to be able to work another 20 years after that with no worries about $ etc if a job is lost. Nobody is disputing it is their right to get another job. In fact they should at that age. Lastly, am I jealous??? NO! I have a great job with good benefits, etc. I wouldn't want that thankless job. Not for any amount of retirement.

Posted by: Duh on Jan 8, 2009 at 02:47 PM
SICK OF IT- Quote from the contract: The city will provide a pension supplement of 3% of fifty dollars ($50), WHICHEVER AMOUNT IS LESS, starting in the 13th month of retirement. So there is no adjustment to inflation. $50 is the less on most pensions so the COLA on a retiree's pension is $600 a year. Seems like that will be way less than inflation. WILLIAM- The officers you see at highschool sporting events are working off duty and are paid by OPS. The officers inside the Qwest Center for sporting events and concerts are working off duty and are paid by MECA through a private security company. They are not on city regular time or overtime. Nice try though.

Posted by: G on Jan 8, 2009 at 12:11 PM
TO JEFF.O You may not have received overtime pay for your duty in Iraq, but you had a NICE PAYCHECK for going TAX FREE... I think you have too much time on your hands and need to find something to do! This officer earned his retirement.

Posted by: Jeff.0 on Jan 8, 2009 at 11:37 AM
mike, you're logic is backwards. It has been proven that highly paid mercenaries are more likely to run from a fight than low paid police and soldiers. Blackwater contract security in Iraq is a prime example. You draw a glamorous picture of police firefights, but the truth is the vast majority of officers will never draw their guns in the line of duty. I guarantee I've fired several times more shots in combat than 90 % of Omaha's officers. I wasn't paid near $67,000 a year, and I received no overtime pay. More of my friends have died in Iraq than officers in the last 20 years of OPD history. I am disabled. I suffer from PTSD. Will you fight for me to receive $85,000 a year retirement? I doubt it. Instead, your awe and worship of OPD leads you to "bet that you [Jeff.0] would be the first to turn tail and run much like your counterparts..." mike, your assumptions prove you know nothing. But if you still want to live the glory days of gun fighting, I'll accept your challenge any day.

Posted by: To William on Jan 8, 2009 at 10:51 AM
So they opportunity to earn extra money is now called spiking their pay? When I work extra at my job its just called overtime pay that I can pay a bill with. Maybe they look at it the same way. The majority aren't even close to retiring. You don't even know who pays for them to "do nothing" at football and basketball games. Usually its not the city. Get your info straight before running your mouth.

Posted by: Tom on Jan 8, 2009 at 10:46 AM
You can certainly see how former and current cops are backing this officers use of spiking and out of line pension. This is the reason Fahey did not run for re-election because he knew that the "sweetheart" deals he made with Police & Fire would come back and bite him. Even the Police Union president said it needs to stop.Our Nation is riddled with GREED!

Posted by: William on Jan 8, 2009 at 10:44 AM
Legal or not it's wrong and the OPD is working the system like a fine tuned piano. Look at the overtime involved for cop at high school football game standing around doing nothing, at creighton basketball games standing around doing nothing, not all OT is in the gang unit. I know cops who jump at these occasions just to spike their pay then laugh about it. You are commiting highway robbery plain and simple.

Posted by: CB on Jan 8, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Now he needs to go across the river to CB and be an officer over there for XX amount per year. That much over his base salary is rediculous. Gotta give it to him on milking the system. This door needs to be CLOSED!

Posted by: John on Jan 8, 2009 at 09:41 AM
This goes hand in hand with the previous article about overtime. The officers are able to bank their overtime to be paid at their best time for it so they can save last years overtime and take it with this years overtime to get a higher 3 year basis than if they were paid for their overtime when they actually worked it.

Posted by: Sick of it on Jan 8, 2009 at 09:06 AM
Greed is one of the 7 deadly sins. Take your money "spiked" by greed; retire at 45 with an annual income of $84,000 (that will probably increase with inflation but that isn't mentioned here) to a life of sloth. I don't envy you one bit.

Posted by: s on Jan 8, 2009 at 07:59 AM
Why are people blaming the officers, it is the elected officials allowing this to happen. So let's blame the mayor and the gang members. I wouldnt want to spend 80 hours a week with thugs who dont value human life. Enjoy your retirement, you earned it!

Posted by: wow on Jan 8, 2009 at 06:58 AM
Just because its legal doesn't make it right.

Posted by: HA! on Jan 8, 2009 at 12:43 AM
Ross@10:18PM: Another shining example of the 'golden parachute' effect, eh? I agree, don't criticize the man for his contract but our visionary leadership who sanctioned it (until it finally bit them in the butt due to lack of sufficient funds). And while a lot of indignant posturing spews from all interested parties, there seems little 'real' official initiative to resolve any protest. How can Average Joe understand this type of retirement plan enough to justify paying for it? And the same goes for all of the CEO and ol' Raider Bill Callahan's bonuses that are proving to be the most expensive lessons in recent history. The joke is always on the HONEST taxpayers left holding the bag.

Posted by: Dumb Pig on Jan 8, 2009 at 12:22 AM
To JAY- The math doesn't add up because the media is always deceptive in their reporting. Sgt. Baggett base pay is quoted at $67,000. Sgt. Baggett would make more than that if he never worked a single minute of overtime all year long. THAT IS THE BASE PAY. He would be getting longevity pay. Starting at year 7 officers get slightly (1 to 2%) higher pay for longevity. If he has a degree he gets an extra 1.5% of top OFFICER pay. If he works the evening shift or overnight shift he gets an extra dollar an hour. Being in the gang unit he would also be receiving specialty pay which is an extra 3% for officers in the various detective units and specialty units. All of this is in the police contract and NONE OF IT FIGURES INTO BASE PAY! So when you figure those in, if he showed up to work and sat around and did absolutely nothing he's making about $74,000. From there you add time and a half pay for any holidays he worked................

Posted by: Wolfess on Jan 7, 2009 at 10:55 PM
Many of the people who posted on this site feel the same way I do -- I truly believe all OPD cops deserve and earn the 67 -70k they earn each year, but ... receiving 15 k over that in retirement is unconscionable. I am quite certain that after 22 years of police work Sgt. Baggett is far too burned out to be of any use to himself, his fellow officers, or the public he is paid to protect; ergo, I have no qualms about paying his retirement if for no other reason than to get him off the streets. But I see no reason why MY taxes have to support HIM in a style that I will never achieve. He needs to thank his boss, the union, the Mayor, and we taxpayers for the wages he earned prior to the last 3 years (70k) and either refuse the remaining 14k, or give it to a charity that will actually address the crime problem here in Omaha.

Posted by: J from Bennington on Jan 7, 2009 at 10:43 PM
@To Bennington J: Okay, coincidences can actually be coincidences. I didn't have all the facts. Thanks for setting me straight. Take care out there.

Posted by: Ross on Jan 7, 2009 at 10:18 PM
Give me a break! We are going to criticize a man who has served our community for 22years. He deserves more than $84,000 a year for putting his life on the line for all of us. It is funny how Sergeant Baggett's pension is cricized because of this loophole in the police contract but we don't hear much about the multimillion dollar package Bill Callahan left when he FAILED at his job, nor about those CEOs that also get millions of dollars in bonuses after driving banks, mortgage companies, and automobile companies into the ground. I think the criticism should be directed elsewhere.

Posted by: Ed on Jan 7, 2009 at 09:42 PM
This must have been one of the police officers working the CWS sitting in the cruiser smokeing a cig on overtime.

Posted by: To Bennington J on Jan 7, 2009 at 09:36 PM
Point #1-No, MOST officers probably did not make as much overtime as he did, however every officer in the gang unit probably got nearly as much OT as he did. I don't think there are any of them assigned there that are within even 10 years of retiring so they are not spiking, they are working. Point #2-No bosses are not scheduling officers close to retirement for overtime. In fact in NE precinct it is almost the opposite. The young guys who may not have families yet jump all over the overtime all summer. I don't think any officer working in NE precinct is within 5 years of retirement and thus not spiking. Point #3- He was selected to work the gang unit (a specialty position)based on experience etc. and by accepting the job knew about the likelihood of OT, so nothing to complain to the Union about. The other sergeants that work the gang unit probably made just as much but they are not near retirement and thus not spiking. He was in a job that had lots of OT as did the other FEW "spikers"

Posted by: mike on Jan 7, 2009 at 09:32 PM
Jeff.0, it’s obvious that you think OPD is over paid, how do you figure? Tough guy, you should put a badge and vest on and take an active shooting call in a mall or at a park. I will be willing to bet that you would be the first to turn tail and run much like your counterparts who are against this dedicated Sgt. who is retiring at 45 w/ 85 K a year.

Posted by: Jay on Jan 7, 2009 at 08:44 PM
I don't even understand how the math works here? How do you average 13 hours of overtime per week and double your gross pay? Does OPD overtime pay triple or what? This is ridiculous and those people taking advantage of it are not the type of people that display the honesty and integrity needed to be a police officer.

Posted by: barney on Jan 7, 2009 at 08:32 PM
Let's make sure that history never forgets the name Tye Pratt.

Posted by: Don I. on Jan 7, 2009 at 08:28 PM
I can't believe the vilification of a 22 year veteran Gang Unit Police Officer who worked overtime to improve his future...who wouldn't take advantage of this contractual loophole? No one being honest with themselves! But then to have his good name smeared across the city by WOWT is unforgivable. Anyone who wants to spend a day or two in his shoes, step forward! Have a great and relaxed retirement Sergeant Baggett, you earned it.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 7, 2009 at 08:26 PM
And Police wonder why so many do not respect them! 84,000 a year the rest of his life? This is a CRIME and there is no way to explain it rationally.

Posted by: To Citizen Joe on Jan 7, 2009 at 08:23 PM
How is it not right to legally make the most money he can for him familly? He doesn't have to answer to anybody for playing the game as it was available to him. He worked his butt off to make the best life for himself and his family. What if he has kids to put through college, a house to pay off, sick parents to care for. Who are any of you to judge how any one person legally obtains the most money they can for themselves and their families? PATRICK-All the officer contributions go into a general fund and combined with all the other funds, so the larger contributions he made over the last few years will be put into the system and can grow for decades to come. He's not getting that specific money that he just contributed before it has the chance to grow. Assume an average officer contributes $10,000 a year to the pension. That is 7.5 million a year even without growth. Plus the at least 7.5 million the city matches into it. You could pay 178 Baggett pensions a year with that.

Posted by: J from Bennington on Jan 7, 2009 at 08:16 PM
@To Bennington J: Thank you for the explanation. If I have this right: 1) most officers work(ed) more OT than Sgt. Baggett last year. 2) The bosses *aren't* scheduling officers nearing retirement with more OT on purpose. 3) Sgt. Baggett didn't mind the OT, so that's why he didn't complain to his union about being forced to work 13 hrs OT/wk for the *3* yrs prior to retirement that coincidentally allowed him to retire with a spiked pension. THREE years, not just last summer, during the height of the violence. Look, I know it's a contract, and I have defended your ability to collect under the terms of your contract in prior posts and I don't subscribe to the "my job is better than your job" bushwah, but hey, aren't 3 coincidences just a little much? (My mother and my son and his family live in Omaha - this affects them.)

Posted by: Joe the Citizen on Jan 7, 2009 at 07:37 PM
This sergeant should feel ashamed of himself to show his face to the tax paying public on the streets of Omaha. What he did may be legal but is not right, just like many other things in life such as cheating on your spouse, so quit using the line "nobody said we can't do it". And if the union and the city do not think it is right, why is it still happening after months of seeing it going on, I thought this contract was expired? Talk is cheap! If I was a younger officer, I would put the blame of any future weak and slim contracts on the backs of these greedy officers who put the younger officers in a bad situation from here on out, again, how does this guy walk into his retirement party with a straight face in front of all the officers he was in charge of knowing they will be paying the price for him during future contract negotiations? Good Job Searg!

Posted by: Patrick on Jan 7, 2009 at 07:00 PM
I suspect the mayor and city council play the casinos to excess. That would explain why they would approve a police contract that causes money to leak from the retirement system like raw sewage volcanoing into so many homes. In basic economics, we learned that investments grow over time. When an officer puts 15% of his income into the retirement system for many years, it grows. When he spikes his hours in the last few years, his larger contributions for such a short time won’t make up for the much lower income his retirement was built on. It’s like going to a casino and expecting everyone to win against the house. But a casino won’t let that happen--at least not without breaking some legs. However, in the city’s case, the taxpayers will make up the difference and no one will be injured. Given their mathematical abilities that let this contract exist for so many years, I suspect the mayor and council are playing the casinos, expecting to make up the difference in the retirement fund.

Posted by: Hard to Believe on Jan 7, 2009 at 06:04 PM
retiring @ 45 & getting $84K/year for the rest of his life is absolutely crazy, along w/ unsustainable. what other jobs offer these kinds of benefits? most folks retire w/ a 401k & that's it (along w/ medicare when they turn 65). these benefits need to be pared down to realistic & comparative levels.

Posted by: Hans from Omaha on Jan 7, 2009 at 05:41 PM
Some of you people on here trip me out! Let's blame the actual officers on the streets for the rash of crime. And not people in charge of hiring, or should I say NOT hiring the much needed officers to replace the ones retiring. Then let's blame these officers for working overtime because... well, they HAVE TO! Because otherwise there'd be no cops out there. Now whether some of these soon-to-be retired officers intentionally worked more in their last years of service means nothing and is well within their rights. The City decided to leave them shorthanded, so why not take advantage of something like this? How have the City leaders been able to wash their hands of this? Oh yeah, poor Fahey and his puppy dog eyes said so. It's kind of hard to take the City's side on this. You can't "afford" to hire new police or fire recruits. But millions on a baseball stadium is justified?... btw, I'm not a cop or want to be one, or am related to any.

Posted by: Jeff.0 on Jan 7, 2009 at 05:32 PM
Here we go with the "It's dangerous" defense, again. LJ wrote, "My father was a police officer and it is a dangerous job not knowing from one minute to the next if they are coming home that night." Is it really that bad, LJ? This isn't "The Night Chicago Died." Then, Matt asks, "If your son or granddaughter does not come home from school who are you going to call?" Like you said, Mike, "Let's think about this a second..." Too many children are killed by drunk drivers or gunfire--MANY more than police dying on duty. Too many children don't make it home. You pull at my heartstrings, LJ, but the truth is parents are more justified worrying about their children than you worrying about your dad. Being a cop is safer than everyday life for many Omahans! You believe police deserve exorbitant pay and benefits for the danger they face? Why don't we consider pay for service? Let's pay police more when everyday life for every Omahan is SAFER than being a police officer.

Posted by: Clones of the News on Jan 7, 2009 at 05:01 PM
I'm a cop here in Omaha. We knows that the system needs to be changed. The few cops that are getting more money due to working OT doesn't mean that we all are milking the system. I hate working OT. I would rather spend time with my family and friends than work OT. I can't believe some of the comments posted. We all elected Mike to run the city, the City Council passed the contracts, most of you would take the same deal. And if you say "no I would not" then you have no brain. Who would want to retire with less money??? Nobody would. Get over it then. It will change as soon as Mike leaves

Posted by: b on Jan 7, 2009 at 04:37 PM
Everyone in the gang unit had an enormous amount of overtime these past few years. Only one was able to retire. It is a staffing problem. You put more officers on the street, the need for overtime goes away. Instead, delay hiring new officers every year, let the staffing levels reach a dangerous low, then demand police response to a rise in violence=overtime. Community policing is a joke. We can't even work the same neighborhoods everday because we are getting sent to all parts of the city. This is how an officers shift plays out. Lets say he/she works in Northwest Omaha, starts shift at 3:00, assigned to work 42nd Ames area. During the next 8 hours, that officer is sent to 135th and Q, back to 42 and Maple, then to 13 and Y, over to 120th Blondo.....etc. When that officer goes home, they will have probably driven close to 100 miles, and never had a chance to patrol their neighborhood. I don't see anything changing in the near future.

Posted by: To D on Jan 7, 2009 at 04:31 PM
Wow talk about class warfare! Jealous any? Oh no God forbid they may actually have working spouses too! How dare they try to make that much money for their families. Hey "Big Brother" D who are you to decide what anyone does from one career to another. So what if they get another job after they retire, that is their right to do. All of you that talk about it being their fault they chose the dangerous job and chose a job that works holidays and weekends so they should not use that as a reason for getting paid more. Well turn that back around. You chose the job you are working, you chose to work and job without a good retirement package, you chose to work a job that pays you what you are making. They also chose to work a job with a specific retirement benefit. The more your people attack them and take away their benefits and call the pay cuts etc., the less qualified people you will get for the job. We'll get all the Barny Fifes if we don't have competitive wages etc.

Posted by: To Bennington J on Jan 7, 2009 at 04:23 PM
I would bet that you find the less tenured officer has much more overtime. Officer get to bid the area and shift they work based on seniority. Most of the most senior officers work on the day shift in southwest Omaha because they have the seniority to not have to deal with the most violent and busy parts of the city. Your officers that are in the gang unit and homicide units etc. are more often than not veteran officers as well because of their knowledge and experience. Those are the units that get a lot of overtime. How can the bosses be collaborating? These officers get overtime when they have to come in and investigate a homicide or respond to possible retaliation after a homicide. How do the bosses control when a homicide will occurr and thus when these officers will be needed for investigation and extra gang patrols? Your last sentence makes no sense. The union can't intercede on the amount of OT he gets unless the city decides not to pay him for it. Oh yeah they did.

Posted by: Duh on Jan 7, 2009 at 04:12 PM
OPD is taking applications through the end of the month. I'm sure all of you out there commenting on how easy the job is and how cops can just show up and milk the system will be applying. And then when you get hired I'm sure you'll donate half your salary to charity since you'll be making way too much for the work you'll be doing.

Posted by: ???? on Jan 7, 2009 at 04:05 PM
FRAUD STEVE?!! Fraud is a crime. This was done legally under a contract negotiated by the mayor and approved by the city council. Do all you haters know that the police contract has three public hearings before the city council votes on it? I'm betting none of you were at any of the hearing voicing your concerns about it. I'm betting when a new contract is negotiated in 2009 you won't be at the hearings either. JD- He was part of the gang unit during one of the most violent years in decades and you say he was not doing what the taxpayers payed him for. That is exactly what he was doing. If there had not been so much violence he would not have received so much overtime and therefore not as high of a salary and thus pension. Wow Steve I hope nobody tries to hurt you or your family or steals any of your stuff since you won't be calling 911 when you need it.

Posted by: DJ on Jan 7, 2009 at 03:54 PM
Boy O Boy. This has got to stop. Now if he was going to retire at age 62 maybe just maybe that would be ok. I worked for 46 years in Construction and killed myself at work to make the streets better for all to drive on and put my life out there with the drivers we have. I only ended up with 12,000 retirement per year with union pensions that will not even come up to 20,000. If I had 80,000 I would go on a long vacation and pay my house off. We have to wake up and stop this spiking

Posted by: J from Bennington on Jan 7, 2009 at 03:34 PM
I'd want to look at the payroll of every single officer nearing retirement and compare OT on them vs. the less tenured officers, as CM said earlier. I understand wanting to have experienced personnel working these cases, but it sure looks like "the bosses" are collaborating in creating these oversized pensions. Next, I'd look at the bosses. Perhaps a few fewer bosses and a few more workers? My personal opinion is that if Sgt. Baggett wasn't deliberately spiking his pension, he'd have had his union intercede for him and cut those OT hours for him.

Posted by: Dumb Pig on Jan 7, 2009 at 03:33 PM
....Last rant here. DAO- complained that since they were annexed they had only seen one police car drive through their neighborhood. WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT? YOU LIVE IN A SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD! How many cars have been stolen or houses broken into in that time you only saw one cruiser. They are not in your neighborhood because they are focusing on the ones that have the crime! You people on here talk out of both sides of your mouth. You want the most police coverage to address the violence, but you are upset that officers had to be paid overtime to help address the violence. Sgt. Baggett had to work overtime operations all summer long to respond to the gang violence and prevent retaliation as best as possible when the violence popped up. You use the homicide numbers as proof OPD does nothing. I would argue that without the efforts all summer long the numbers would have been much higher. Just because you don't personally see 10 cops in your neighnorhood doesn't mean they are not out.

Posted by: Dumb Pig on Jan 7, 2009 at 03:26 PM
....Kurt was right on about some things. OPD officers pay 15% of each and every dollar they make into the pension system. This is their retirement investment. The seven cities that were used as comparable cities by the CIR court average 8.1% payment into their pensions, so OPD is paying it's fair share into the system. Using the number quoted in the story, in 2006 Baggett paid $13,500 into the fund, in 2007 $18,300, and in 2008 $16,950. Nearly $50,000 into the fund the last three years. He also paid into it 19 more years. That money was invested and grew etc. for the specific reason of paying him in retirement. Some people have pointed out that he is one retirement the media is parading out there. Months ago it was another 5 or 6 officers they named. So maybe 10 out of 150 retirements in the last 2 years have spike pensions. Baggett worked in a position that had a lot of overtime to go with it.......

Posted by: Steve on Jan 7, 2009 at 03:13 PM
How can anyone defend this 85000/yr at 45 its fraud end of story and then I am to trust the police sorry not that stupid

Posted by: Dumb Pig on Jan 7, 2009 at 03:12 PM
I'd just like to offer up some comments to some of the stuff I have read on here. From the bottom up here are some things I observed. RICK- Fred answered your question. All the politicians that are up in arms about this need to be voted out of office for either being dishonsest about knowing this was going to happen or incompetent for not knowing what was in the contract. The contract this was agreed upon by the mayor and passed by the city council after THREE PUBLIC HEARINGS. Nobody was hiding anything here. The union attempted to fix the problem a few months back by negotiating with the mayor for a 99% of base salary pension. This may sound like a lot, but every single officer makes more than their base pay because of overtime and holidays, court time etc. If this was in place Sgt. Baggett's pension would be $66,300 (99% of 67,000 base) instead of $84,000 spiked pension (63% of his spiked 134,000 high 12 month period, note 63% instead of 75% because he didn't have 25 years)...

Posted by: citizen on Jan 7, 2009 at 02:48 PM
Shock of Shocks, an Omaha Cop raping and pillaging the taxpaying citizen, nothing new! AND by how gangs have grown, he must not have done a very good job during REGULAR hours.

Posted by: D on Jan 7, 2009 at 02:27 PM
If this Sgt, and others like him are making a base of $67000 and paying 15% into the pension, then their before tax pay is $56950/yr. Even after Medicare, state and fed taxes are taken out that is still a decent take home paycheck, and they probably have working spouses too. Any other Joe making the same salary, has to pay SS taxes, 401(K), plus contribute to savings (IRA, etc), and must work until 65-70 to be eligible to collect any of it w/o penalty. There are plenty of other professions that are equally as or more dangerous than yours and w/o the pay and good benefits (miners, farmers, military). On top of that how many retired cops go get civilian jobs, contribute to SS and 401K for 20 years and really retire in style? When you already have an income close to $100k per year outside your job, it's easy to save. And 13 hrs of OT/wk, big deal...I have a couple friends that drive truck and work 20-30 hrs of 'OT"/wk w/o getting any extra pay...another dangerous job.

Posted by: JD on Jan 7, 2009 at 02:25 PM
I can’t believe people are defending these officers. They are CROOKS!! Now I know why the city of Omaha is plagued by gangs and shootings and armed robberies. We got nothing but a bunch of money hungry bums who are too busy milking the time clock instead of doing the job that we pay for with our tax dollars! Disgusting!!

Posted by: Patt on Jan 7, 2009 at 02:15 PM
This is beyond unbelieveable and has been going on for years now. When is this going to stop!!

Posted by: SAD on Jan 7, 2009 at 02:15 PM
very sad OPD shame on you

Posted by: ed on Jan 7, 2009 at 01:52 PM
the police may have a case IF there was a decline in violence, BUT THERE IS NOT. crime is running rampent in omaha and we are rewarding those that have not done there job.

Posted by: Joe the Citizen on Jan 7, 2009 at 01:50 PM
The lesson here is to not vote for any polititian who is getting hte endorsement of the fire or police union. They are in the pockets of the union. Where it used to be desirable to have the endorsement, now I hope we all see it as a red flag to not vote for that candidate. It is time for the tax paying citizens to wake up and see this for what it is....just another special interest group. And your arguments that everyone else would do it, so it is ok, is very childish. IT IS WRONG JUST SAY IT IS! We can't fix a problem if you keep denying it is wrong.

Posted by: Matt on Jan 7, 2009 at 01:35 PM
For all of the skeptics of the pension spiking think about this for a second; if your son or granddaughter does not come home from school who are you going to call? Who is going to respond to your burning house in the middle of a January blizzard to save your house and family? Just because the individuals who are against the spiking can’t figure out that that these men and women put on a shield and bunker gear not because they were told too its because they wanted to help others. They should be rewarded for the hard work that they do and the sacrifice that they make.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 7, 2009 at 01:05 PM
These good men and woman put their lives on the line everyday for people they do not even know more power to them if they get a good pension. Hey mayor Fahey why compain about it? I have an idea lets not build a ball park that will only be used 2 weeks out of the year that should save the city plenty of money!

Posted by: Frustrated on Jan 7, 2009 at 12:55 PM
Lets see 85000 per year....at 52 weeks per year he'll be getting 1634.61 every week and watching cops" on TV.

Posted by: BJ on Jan 7, 2009 at 12:53 PM
The only positive comments that are going to be posted here are from the police themselves and their wives and family. Everyone knows this is WRONG.

Posted by: T on Jan 7, 2009 at 12:52 PM
We need the voters to ban old style pensions for government workers as well as lifetime paid medical and require the government workers to take the equivalent of the 401(k) programs the rest of us have!

Posted by: CM on Jan 7, 2009 at 12:49 PM
Not living in Omaha, some may totally ignore my comments. Your choice. I see arguements for high retirements and arguements against. One thing I would like to know is how many police officers, that are at the say, 5-10 year tenure, are working 13 hrs of O/T a week. If there are, for the sake of arguement, 20 members of the gang unit and ALL are working 7-13 hrs of O/T a week, then I would agree there is a problem with staffing. But...if the only ones working lots of O/T are those within a year or two of retirement, then, guess what??? There is a different problem. As far as putting your life on the line, how about the guy who has put in 3-4 tours in Iraq and gets shot at as a normal part of his day? Use their retirement system; 50% of your base pay at 20 years and 2.5% more for each year afterward. Every one of the people in OPD has a "base" pay scale...use it. Negotiate that.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 7, 2009 at 12:40 PM
To Kurt He is making more than 100% of his base salary not 75% Also when you don't pay into social security you can pay more into you retirement.

Posted by: Mike Honcho on Jan 7, 2009 at 12:40 PM
The City can "afford" a new ballpark and not more desperately needed officers on the streets? So officers are working overtime? Really?!?! I say they should take advantage of spiking to the fullest extent. It's the City that's made their bed. Live with it! GO OPD!

Posted by: Kevin on Jan 7, 2009 at 12:35 PM
Sorry Kurt, if your in it for the money you need to get out !!! Public servants should be paid well but they shouldn't get these out of hand retirement packages. They need to be capped ! If they want to make that kind of money then they need a reinvestment plan on benifits and they need to pay out of pocket costs for health care unless they are hurt on duty .Tax payers are getting the short end of the stick on this and it needs to stop. And the 16% needs to stop too.

Posted by: Mattias on Jan 7, 2009 at 12:28 PM
To everyone that is against these officers for taking advantage of what is perfectly legal and within their right, and say they wouldn't do the same thing is lying through their teeth! This is not going to bankrupt the City. The OT is there because the city as a whole cannot get crime under control. The police can only do so much with so little officers and so little help from citizens. Thus, officers are working more hours. These officers deserve every penny they EARN and more. They are UNDERPAID if you look at the whole picture. But most of you wont. Let's not look at the hours and years of service these fine men & women have put in. Let's just look at the end dollar amount. Maybe if North Omaha helped those trying to help them. Then maybe there wouldn't be officers needing to work 13 hours OT a week to clean up your mess. Or maybe if the City wasn't spending millions on a useless baseball stadium and spend it on more offices? Hmm... but yeah, blame OPD!

Posted by: Rick on Jan 7, 2009 at 12:22 PM
I'm sure all the people on here would not take advantage of this benefit if offered to them. This sgt. did what is allowed under the contract and is looking out for his best interest. Any of the posters on here that would not do the same thing to benefit their family is lying.

Posted by: G on Jan 7, 2009 at 12:10 PM
To all you hypocrites: If all you had the chance at something like this... YOU WOULD DO IT TOO! What’s done is done... Get over it

Posted by: Sick of it on Jan 7, 2009 at 11:32 AM
By the way, teachers do this too! Look at how many take on extracurriculars for extra pay in their last few years of employment before they retire! Same difference people.

Posted by: Sick of it on Jan 7, 2009 at 11:28 AM
For many taxpayers, Social Security is the only pension. Whose fault is that? Give me a break. Pensions are the reason for nearly every problem we have. Taxes are higher because the police, schools, fire and the military have pensions. The auto industry is broke, not necessarily because cars aren't selling, but because in both cases, the government and the auto industry's, the cash outflow pays PENSIONS. The military needs to get a grip on disability claims and require combat duty as prerequisite for pensioned health care and, if they are employed upon retirment from the military, they are required to take their employer's health insurance. Why are police "underpaid" what part of income is tax free and unreported? If they didn't pay union fees they'd have more pay to take home. Social Security is a joke too - if people were more responsible with their money and less dependent upon "the nanny" to care for them, we'd all be more prosperous with LOWER taxes! or let socialism reign

Posted by: Lynda on Jan 7, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Screw Mike Fayhe and what he wants. Who of you including YOU READING THIS would put your life on the line like these guyes do? Probably NONE OF YOU! Gang violence has increased and other crimes are off the charts and who do people call when these happen??? OPD that's who! So spare me and start giving credit where credit is due! These men and women are on the streets putting their very lives at risk! Shut up, stop whining. Other than serving during war time they have the most dangerous jobs in this world. Firemen too! And come on...Mike Fayhe??? He's a flippin idiot! Now that he's going out office...planning the new aquatic center that will cost over 4 million $$$ and other outright ignorant things he has done and is still doing...is whining about paying OPD for their future when I'm sure they covered his butt many times is just plain ignorant! And he's a liar! Why would anyone trust him? Or most other politions for that matter!

Posted by: Chris on Jan 7, 2009 at 11:21 AM
It amazes me that people get upset over this kind of stuff. If you want to be able to retire at 45 years old, get a job tht allows that. Police are eligable for full retirement after 25 years, it si a benefit to spending 25 years putting their lives on the line, not working an 8-5 monday-friday job. There is some taking advantage of the system by officers, but the majority do not take advantage. Why has it taken this many years for people to want this changed--because people are lazy and when they realize someone else has what they want, they are not happy. Leave the men in blue alone.

Posted by: Erin on Jan 7, 2009 at 11:19 AM
I think they deserve it. They work hard for us. They put their lives on the line for the people of this city. Before people complain about this they need to spend their careers doing something helpful for another person. I would like to thank the police, fire & military for their hard work and sacrifice for OTHER PEOPLE.

Posted by: OmahaAnnie on Jan 7, 2009 at 11:02 AM
Good for him. If anyone of us were able to get a retirement package along the same lines we would all be lining up.

Posted by: ?? on Jan 7, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Now, since he's only 45 and drawing this much retirement, will he be able to go get another job and still make the same amount? And what about the retired fireman who is now a paid employee for Bellevue..is he still getting his full "retirement" benefits since he is now employed full-time?

Posted by: Bob on Jan 7, 2009 at 10:55 AM
Only in America could a guy get paid for the work he's done... oh wait, that's a good thing. Get over it.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 7, 2009 at 10:43 AM
WHAT? $85,000 a year retirement for life? No wonder the mayor has to cut things out of the budget! Not only are these officers taking advantage of the system, but their base salary is huge enough that they will bankrupt our city!

Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 7, 2009 at 10:33 AM
I would say he deserves it for dealing with Omaha's finest scumbags on a daily basis.

Posted by: BillyBOb on Jan 7, 2009 at 10:31 AM
Quit complaining. They've worked hard and spent plenty of time away from their families. They also pay 15% of their check into the pension plan. That is on top of all the other taxes taken out. And they can't collect SSI ? I would gladly sign over my tax money for these guys. It's a lot better than spending millions on man hole covers. Keep up the good work guys, and retire when you can...you deserve it.

Posted by: Kurt on Jan 7, 2009 at 10:21 AM
All I read about in these comment sections are how everyone thinks Police/Fire are overpaid. Obviously people need to read the CIR rulings and realize our Police/Fire are UNDERPAID. If you read into the CIR rulings and look around the nation you would also realize that 25 years of service with a 75% pension is very standard. One other thing the media won’t tell you is that our Police/Fire put in almost double the amount into there retirement 16% then the next closest city which is around 8%. Don’t forget the Police are accepting applications!!!

Posted by: jeff on Jan 7, 2009 at 09:55 AM
Omaha's Finest at work!

Posted by: ?? on Jan 7, 2009 at 09:41 AM
As long as there is still a loop hole, people will continue to jump through it.

Posted by: OPD supporter on Jan 7, 2009 at 09:36 AM
OPD officers are out there risking their lives for us and this is the thanks that we give them. This man is working in the hardest and most dangerous unit in the police department. Maybe if the Mayor didn't put a freeze on hiring officers until September of this year then these men and women wouldn't have to work overtime. I would like to thank OPD officers for their work, so I don't have to be put in danger while working my job.

Posted by: Retired OPD on Jan 7, 2009 at 09:35 AM
What Jerry did is just plain wrong. He was a guy who waited until his last year on the job to do more work than was necessary, and only then to spike his pension. The "excuse" that all of his overtime was approved by his supervisor shows what poor supervision the Gang Unit has. Chief Buske needs to take steps to prevent another Jerry Baggett from happening.

Posted by: DAO on Jan 7, 2009 at 09:34 AM
I don't mind a police officer getting paid well, but lately greed has set in obove performance. Robberies shootings,ETC are way up. I say lets see some performance from this police dept, before we reword them with $85,000 retirement checks. Since we have been annexed, I think I saw maybe one police car down our street.

Posted by: Bonnie on Jan 7, 2009 at 09:33 AM
I tried to contact mayorial candidate and city councilman Jim Vokal about the outrageous number of dog shootings by Omaha Police. He would only meet with me if NE Humane Society V.P. Mark Langen was present. (Langen is a former O.P.D. police officer who retired off of a apiked salary of $106,000) Vokal voted for spiked police pensions. It is time for Vokal and all the other "insiders" to return to the private sector. We need a city government that cares and works, votes for the citizens, not police officers and the police union.

Posted by: So what? on Jan 7, 2009 at 09:23 AM
The pay into their own pension plan, just like I do with the railroad. Get over it, and climb onboard!

Posted by: A on Jan 7, 2009 at 08:42 AM
The mayor and the city council approved this pension contract. They also demand action from the police for outbreaks of violent crime. Do they want them to work for free? This SGT. wasn't the only person that retired recently. Check the average pension of officers retiring and you will find that a LARGE majority do not spike.

Posted by: Reality Czech on Jan 7, 2009 at 07:51 AM
I'm seeing the overtime issue which leads to spiking as an indication that crime is so rampant, overtime is necessary to address the issue and/or staffing is below minimum and overtime is needed to combat crime in the absence of a fully-staffed department. At this point, I really think the idea of building a new stadium needs to be shelved. There are so many other things that need to be addressed first. Doesn't make sense to build a new house on a foundation that is unstable and crumbling.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 7, 2009 at 07:48 AM
Are these pensions taxable though?

Posted by: tim on Jan 7, 2009 at 07:47 AM
Color me surprised. Cops taking advantage of the system...again!

Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 7, 2009 at 07:44 AM
This is extortion at its best.

Posted by: LJ on Jan 7, 2009 at 07:36 AM
This is a story that caught my attention very quickly last night and I think it is absurd that anyone should question what the police department makes or what their pensions should be. This officer worked for 22 years and retired and then became active again in the Gang Unit. There is a problem with that? I do not think that the police department makes enough. The men and woman that are out there to protect and serve the public? My father was a police officer and it is a dangerous job not knowing from one minute to the next if they are coming home that night. I give this gentleman and anyone else that does it nothing but praise as we know how high the crime is whether related to gangs or not. He could have taken his retirement and said the heck with it let the rest of them deal with it. Read or watch the news people everyday there are murders, drugs and thieves on the street. If it weren't for our men out their to protect us who is going to do it? Give them what they deserve.

Posted by: Ben on Jan 7, 2009 at 07:32 AM
I have confidence in our police force. I'm sure the right thing will be done here. I also beleive in our police officers, I trust if they see something that is wrong they make every effort to correct that wrong in the best interest of the city, and her people. Officers of Omaha, "spiking" is wrong. This is in my opinion " orginized crime". It may be legal, but is wrong. I realize you put your lives on the line everyday, but this was your choice. You are going to bankrupt the city of Omaha if it has to pay out 85000 a year for an officer of 45 years old, and this is just one Officer. On the news last night they said not to hate the officer rather hate the system.Honestly, writing this, my opinion of opd is tainted now. Do the right thing officers. This is a big can of worms that was opened here, us taxpayers will not accept this, this will not just "go away".

Posted by: Mary p on Jan 7, 2009 at 07:28 AM
This si one way he can save his legacy. It is absurb to be paying these kinds of benefits. At least make them wait until age 65, Social security Age, to collect.

Posted by: Rick on Jan 7, 2009 at 07:22 AM
Who agreed to that stipulation and signed that into the contract? I don't blame the guy a bit (if that even was his intent).

Posted by: Fred on Jan 7, 2009 at 06:13 AM
If memory serves me correctly, Fahey gave the unions this sweetheart deal the last time the contract was negotiated. He has no one to blame but himself, so the news media needs to put the blame where it belongs. This is just another of Fahey's follies.

Posted by: Tom on Jan 7, 2009 at 06:12 AM
If the mayor and city council would put more officers on the street then there wouldn't be the need for officers to work so much overtime to keep the citizens of Omaha safe. Lets not forget the police put their lives on the line every day for the people of this city. Don't they deserve some concideration for this?

Posted by: KeithSr on Jan 7, 2009 at 03:27 AM
In comments to a recent story, some argued that police "deserve" high pay plus overtime and an over-the-top retirement, because police do a dangerous job. These people have ignored the recent spate of store clerks who have been killed. Clearly, being a store clerk is more dangerous than being a policeman. Where is the justice? Where are the people protesting for higher pay for store clerks? If danger were the criteria for police pay, they should all be paid $8.50 an hour, time-and-a-half for overtime, and rely on Social Security for retirement like everyone else. There is no justification for the raping of Omaha taxpayers by their own police force.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 7, 2009 at 01:21 AM
When I saw this story aired on the news I heard one of the people interviewed say "don't blame the officers" because they didn't create the system, they were only taking advantage of it? Whether it breaks any laws or not, if you knew you were part of a problem that was draining the funds I don't know how you could feel good about yourself, and what's with being able to "retire" at 45? Don't get me wrong, I have all the respect in the world for our officers and the dangers they face, but being eligible for full retirement benefits 20 years before most people just doesn't seem right. Fix the problem!!

Posted by: Jeff.0 on Jan 6, 2009 at 11:50 PM
Interesting timing. As police squabble about overtime, this story comes up. While some people argue officers deserve overtime pay, we learn that this officer's BASE salary, before overtime, is much more than what most two income families earn. I've said it before: when you're in it for the money, you're a mercenary, not a servant. OPD's pay, overtime and pension plans attract mercenaries. Sides of patrol cars should read, "To Protect and Be Served."