SFPD Retirees Cash In Big On Unused Days Off

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – Some top San Francisco police brass got big payouts for leftover vacation time and unused sick days when they retired from the department.

KCBS, CBS 5 and San Francisco Chronicle Insider Phil Matier said that former Police Chief Heather Fong, her deputy chief and another top commander each walked away with about $500,000 worth of comp time. That was on top of the six-figure pensions they will enjoy for the rest of their golden years.

KCBS' Phil Matier:

City officials said the eye popping amounts are guaranteed by state law and current contracts, leaving them no discretion on the matter, despite the city's budget troubles.

Big vacation payouts are apparently also commonplace for retiring BART police officers, firefighters and city administrators all over the Bay Area. Departing checks can range from $140,000 to more than $400,000.

These numbers were made public by State Controller John Chiang as part of a larger audit prompted by the compensation scandal in the Southern California city of Bell.

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