Town Council Unanimously Approves LEOPS For Berlin Police

BERLIN– Municipal officials voted unanimously this week to enroll in the Law Enforcement Officers Pension System (LEOPS).

In an attempt to improve police recruitment and retention efforts, Berlin officials agreed on Monday to enter into LEOPS. The program will cost more than $300,000 a year but is expected to dramatically increase the town’s ability to keep law enforcement officers on staff.

“To have 100% support is something that makes the officers know they’re being supported,” Police Chief Arnold Downing said. “I think it’s going to be great for retention.”

The Berlin Town Council hosted a work session Monday to discuss plans to enroll in LEOPS, something that’s been discussed in town for years. Kelsey Jensen, the town’s human resources director, told the council at least 60% of the current police force needed to support enrolling in the system in order for the town to do so. She said when the town’s officers had been polled, 100% of them wanted to enroll.

Currently, the town spends about $929,000 in payroll for police each year. State retirement costs for those officers is about $101,000 a year. Moving to LEOPS will cost the town not quite $343,000 a year if it maintains a force of 14 officers. When asked if the number of officers on staff was likely to increase, Downing said he hoped so. He pointed out that changes like a 24-hour Royal Farms and new apartment complexes like Oceans East, there was a greater need for law enforcement.

More