Oakland Mayor Says Pensions At The Root Of Problems With Police

OAKLAND (KCBS) - Oakland Mayor Jean Quan said her rocky relationship with the police department's rank and file is because she wants them to pay into their pension plans.

The city covers 100 percent of the officers' pension costs, and last year officers rejected a plan to contribute, leading to the layoff of 80 officers.

KCBS' Bob Melrose Reports:

Quan said the officers should pay part of their pensions like other city employees.

"I think the citizens make it pretty clear to me that they want everyone to contribute to their pensions," she said. "They're not willing to vote for anymore taxes."

Oakland's popular police chief, Anthony Batts, is a finalist for the same job in San Jose. If he leaves, that's expected to further strain relationships.

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