New ATL police chief Turner's proposal to retire, then be rehired withdrawn
A proposal to allow Atlanta police chief George Turner to access his pension prematurely was suddenly withdrawn Thursday afternoon after Turner's financial advisor discouraged the move.
Atlanta’s Chief Operating Officer Peter Aman had floated proposal to the City Council that would allow Turner, 51, to “retire” on paper, but immediately be rehired as chief in order to start collecting his $100,000 pension.
City council was scheduled to vote on the proposal Monday.
According to Mayor Kasim Reed, who has urged Turner to relocate from Cobb County to Atlanta, Turner was having difficulty selling his home. With Reed's backing, a proposal was drawn up to allow Turner to tap his pension to help in his move. Reed said Turner's financial advisor discouraged the maneuver.
Aman said that because Turner would have retired, he would collect his pension and the $200,000 salary that goes with being police chief. Although he commands perhaps the most significant unit in city government, at least four city employees earn more than Turner.
Turner, who has been with APD for 29 years, was named police chief in July. He had served as interim chief since January, when his predecessor Richard Pennington retired.
About the Author
Ernie Suggs is an enterprise reporter covering race and culture for the AJC since 1997. A 1990 graduate of N.C. Central University and a 2009 Harvard University Nieman Fellow, he is also the former vice president of the National Association of Black Journalists. His obsession with Prince, Spike Lee movies, Hamilton and the New York Yankees is odd.
