comment: >
  
  It's amazing that this kind of thing took THIS long to be suggested.  Kind of how it took this long for people to pass laws making it illegal for cops to sleep with people they arrest.
context: A former Maryland park ranger was arrested and indicted in September for allegedly raping two of his female colleagues. But despite the grim crime he’s accused of, he’s still been allowed to collect nearly $95,000 of his pension as he awaits trial in jail.
  Now, two state lawmakers are hoping to pass legislation to prevent police officers from receiving retirement benefits after being convicted of a felony crime.
  
  ....
  
  Maryland is one of 24 states that have no pension forfeiture laws on the books, meaning that any law enforcement officer who has a pension—even if they’ve been convicted of a crime—is allowed to collect it once they are 55 years old and have served more than 15 years in the job. 
  
  ....
  
  Holding cops who have been found guilty of misconduct accountable is an issue several states have tried to address head-on. States like California, Virginia, and Massachusetts have passed laws allowing them to decertify an officer, essentially ensuring that their record of bad behavior follows them if they try to find a job in law enforcement elsewhere in the country. >
  
  So, in this case the new law would do nothing since the park ranger hasn’t been convicted? >
  
  Which is a good thing, really. As much as we’d sometimes like to see it happen I’m wary of anything resembling a pre-conviction punishment, he’s still innocent right up until the moment a jury finds him guilty. >
  
  Actually, the conviction is not official until sentencing in a number of jurisdictions. >
  
  Isn’t this a no brainer? >
  
  Left: Yes.
  Right: No.
  Center: Meh. >
  
  Am in center. Definite no-brainer. >
  
  Welcome to the left!
  /s? >
  
  On this issue, for sure. >
  
  Centre: how about half a pension? >
  
  Absolutely not. >
  
  Ok then how about 1/3 of a pension and they be forced to wear a clown outfit for a predetermined period of time? >
  
  You somehow came up with a good idea. >
  
  
  Maryland is one of 24 states that have no pension forfeiture laws on the books, meaning that any law enforcement officer who has a pension—even if they’ve been convicted of a crime—is allowed to collect it once they are 55 years old and have served more than 15 years in the job. 
  
  I did not realize so many states still allowed convicted criminals to collect pension from the state. I hope this passes. >
  
  well the issue is convicted criminals on duty. If i committed a crime outside of my work purview then I would still get a pension but if I did it related to my work, then I wouldn't.  
  It has been a law in my state since 1978 >
  
  Accountability for police? What a concept! Somebody should like start a protest movement to raise awareness on the topic… >
  
  Why is it just for police though? Are Maryland lawmakers going to apply the same standard to other government employees such as…Maryland Lawmakers?
  Edit: I was banned from the sub I guess for this chain but to the guy below me: it’s not whataboutism, I was just taking the article at its word which was that Maryland has no pension forfeiture laws. >
  
  I'm all pro-union, but the union representing the cops seems to be more concerned with protecting criminals than making sure cops have appropriate compensation and work conditions.
  If I'm wrong, I'm happy to listen to the opposing view. >
  
  Police unions aren’t unions, that’s why they do what they do. A union helps protect its members from employer abuse, police unions specifically help prevent their members from being held accountable for their actions. >
  
  Exactly. It isn’t a union, it’s a fucking racket, and the entire police force is basically a government funded/protected gang. >
  
  People should stop calling these unions because they’re actually more like mafias. >
  
  Public sector unions=bad, private sector unions=good >
  
  wouldn’t that also include firefighter unions, teachers unions, and the APWU? i’m not sure those are bad…
  i think this is specifically a police union issue. >
  
  Teacher unions are not operating in the interest of the students. >
  
  Their pensions should go to the families of their victims! >
  
  Yes.  That is perfect. >
  
  Good. I hope it happens >
  
  If non-cop gets convicted of a crime they don't lose their pensions, even other government employees.  If they worked without issue for 29 years and in the last year did illegal shit and got busted - they should lose 29 years of "honest" pension?
  Even though this isn't how it works for anyone else convicted of a crime? >
  
  It should only be for committing crimes in the line of duty. If a cop in their free time commits a crime, even murder, then yes, they should get to keep their pension. But not if they commit a crime abusing their power as a police officer. If you worked for a company for 29 years without issue, then you embezzled money from the company, would you expect to get your pension? >
  
  If a cop commits a crime outside of work, his cop buddies help cover it up. It's a story as old as time.