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Cop Wants Money For “Unused Vacation Days” After 8 Years Paid Leave
A New Jersey police officer that was placed on paid leave eight years ago after allegations of sexual assault is now attempting to garner more cash for so-called “unused vacation days.”
Paterson officials say the city has already paid out $800,000 for officer Manuel Avila’s salary during the eight year period as well as over $1 million in lawsuit and legal bills, but now, the officer is negotiating for a larger pay off.
Calling police officers a “protected class of people,” City Council President William McKoy says the situation is “unfortunate and unfair to the taxpayers,” and asserts “there has to be a better system of accountability and oversight.”
In 2007, Avila was stripped of his weapon and reassigned to holding cell duty at police headquarters after a psychiatrist deemed him unfit to carry a firearm.
Court records say the move was made so that Avila could attain a 20-year pension and increase his retirement pay, but shorty after the reassignment, the officer was charged with forcing a female prisoner to give him a blowjob.
In June 2010, he was acquitted and the city settled the civil lawsuit filed by the woman for $710,000 in July, 2011.
Since then, disciplinary proceedings against Avila have not been resolved. The officers lawyer, Frederic Rossi, has cited a variety of reason as to why, including difficulties in finding Avila’s accuser.
“The previous administration didn’t want to make a decision on what to do with him,” Paterson Mayor Jose Torres said. “That’s what it comes down to. It’s sad, but that’s why we’re where we’re at. But we’re much closer today to bringing this to a close than we were a year ago.”
Officials say that instead of terminating Avila, they are discussing an arrangement under which he can retire.
18 months ago, it was calculated that Avila’s severance package for unused leave days and terminal pay would cost the city an additional $70,000, but it has not been revealed how much the officer is now asking for.
Officials say a settlement would be based on the cities contract with its police union and as a result, Avila likely will get paid for vacation days “he didn’t use” while on at-home paid leave.
Cop Wants Money For “Unused Vacation Days” After 8 Years Paid Leave is a post from Cop Block – Badges Don't Grant Extra Rights
Source: http://www.copblock.org/131508/cop-wants-money-for-unused-vacation-days-after-8-years-paid-leave/
