Crisfield PD calls new pension plan passed by lawmakers a ‘Game Changer’ for recruitment

CRISFIELD, Md – Crisfield Police are celebrating a higher-scale pension plan which they say will help with recruitment and retention efforts.

The changeover is made possible by a bill recently passed in the Maryland general assembly, allowing Crisfield police officers to enroll in the Law Enforcement Officer Pension System, or LEOPS.
Chief Rick Taylor says this could even help attract talent from other departments, who would have had to forego their retirement to come to the department in the past.

Chief Taylor says it’s not just about new talent, but also rewarding the efforts of those who have dedicated decades to the department.

“We have an officer that’s been here with Crisfield for 24 years and under the current pension system if he were to retire today his pension would be 1,100 a month however under LEOPS his new pension would be over 3,000 a month, big difference,” he said.

All current staff will be able to roll over onto the new system as well as new hires.
Chief Taylor says he expects to see better response times – and less turnover in the department thanks to the more generous pension program saying he is thankful to the Eastern Shore Delegation, and Crisfield Mayor Darlene Taylor for their work to give officers have a better way to plan for their futures