Delaware correctional officer pension boost proposed

Clarification: This article has been updated to more accurately describe the actions taken by the Senate Finance Committee. 

The unions that represent state employees who work in Delaware's prisons are pushing hard for a bill that would allow correctional officers and other "peace officers" to retire with 20 years of service instead of 25.

The groups say the change would help end chronic staffing shortages in Delaware's prisons, which they argue are the root cause of the Feb. 1 inmate takeover at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center near Smyrna that left Lt. Steven Floyd dead.

IN-DEPTH: An inside look at what happened at Vaughn

But they must convince legislators — who already are struggling with a $386 million budget gap — to grant them significantly higher compensation at a time when raises for other state employees have been sparse.

"The longer we continue to do nothing, the closer we get to making history in Delaware, and not in a good way," said Geoffrey Klopp, head of the Correctional Officers Association of Delaware, warning "another riot" could be on the horizon. "This must be done. This must be done as soon as possible. The gravity of this situation is heavier than my words can express."

The base salary for Delaware correctional officers is about $32,060, compared with $40,000 in New Jersey and $38,258 in Maryland.

The Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday considered, but did not vote on legislation that would begin to increase compensation for correctional officers and other "peace officers" by making pensions more generous.

The proposal would not just apply to correctional officers. It would also cover other "peace officers," like the Capitol Police, University of Delaware Police and court constables.

The bill would lower the number of years of service an officer must rack up before retiring, from 25 to 20. That would put them in line with other law enforcement officers in Delaware, like the state police.

"What this bill is trying to do and what this bill needs to do is create parity for all law enforcement in the state of Delaware," said Todd Mumford, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 10, which represents probation and parole officers.

Last year, the General Assembly reduced the requirement from 30 years to 25.

THE TURNOVER PROBLEM: Officers quitting since the Vaughn crisis

The legislation would also increase the "multiplier" used to calculate the amount of pension payments.

The officer would earn 2.5 percent of his or her final salary, which would be multiplied by the number of years served, up to 20 years. Years served after 20 years would be multiplied by 3.5 percent.

Currently, the rate is 1.85 percent, 2 percent or 2.45 percent, depending on the type of officer.

All told, the more generous pensions would cost the state about $6.1 million a year, according to estimates from the state Controller General's Office.

Sen. Bruce Ennis, whose Smyrna district includes Vaughn and who sponsored the pension bill, argued the measure might save money in the long run if it helps slash overtime costs. He said the state paid $23 million in overtime for the Department of Correction last year.

"$23 million could go a long way toward the cost of this bill," Ennis said.

Klopp said the pension increases are only part of the compensation package his association wants. His group also seeks "step increases" that would automatically increase officers' pay as they contribute more years of service.

"This is one of the puzzle pieces to making the compensation the appropriate compensation package," Klopp said of the pension bill.

The pay increase proposals are designed to reward employees for staying on staff for years. The goal is to cut down on turnover.

While few legislators are publicly against raising pay for correctional officers, it will be hard for them to find a way for them to pay for it. The state is facing a $386 million budget hole — Gov. John Carney announced a plan last week to hike taxes and slash spending throughout state government.

DETAILS: Learn more about Gov. Carney's budget.

Carney's budget included increasing hazard duty pay for correctional officers to the tune of $4.7 million. On top of a 1.5 percent pay hike, COs are slated to get through collective bargaining, the governor's administration says pay would effectively jump to $37,120.

Carney also has called for buying new equipment and adding more officers to both Vaughn and Baylor Women's Correctional Institution.

When Carney's budget was revealed, Klopp said it was an insufficient increase, calling it a "slap in the face" to his membership. He said his group is seeking a salary of around $48,000.

Carney attended a correctional officers' town hall on Tuesday night that was closed to the press.

If the General Assembly were to approve either the pension plan or more generous salary increases, legislators would need to find millions of dollars more in either new taxes or further program cuts in state government.

Contact Matthew Albright at malbright@delawareonline.com, (302) 324-2428 or on Twitter @TNJ_malbright.