This bill was filed in regard to the retirement of the officers of the University of Massachusetts Police Department. These officers are expected to perform at the same level as municipal police across the Commonwealth, receiving the same training, wielding the same powers, rights, and responsibilities — yet are entitled to a fraction of the retirement benefits. This inequity has lasting detrimental effects on the University’s police force, which experiences a high rate of turnover, with many citing the lack of benefits as a primary reason for departure. The lack of continuity and inability to retain talented and dedicated officers is especially harmful in the unique scenarios that compromise campus policing.

This bill aims to rectify this inequity by moving their retirement group from Group 2 to Group 4, aligning the retirement benefits for all officers of our police departments.