PBA: Retired cops can help solve teacher shortage

A PBA sponsored bill that could help ease the city's teacher shortage by allowing retired police officers to become teachers while collecting their police pension was given a home rule message by the City Council yesterday PBA President Patrick J. Lynch said.

"Many police officers retire in their early 40's with a college education, invaluable life experience as police officers and a desire to start a new career," Lynch said.  "This law would encourage retired officers to become teachers while allowing them to collect their police pensions.  It would be a win for our retirees who can start another career in a noble profession and a big win for the city's school system which is suffering a significant shortage of teachers."

PBA Political Action Director Robert Zink said, "We presented this important bill to the City Council's State/Federal Legislation Committee where it was approved by that committee and on the floor of the council.  The PBA intends to stand strong behind this win/win bill that benefits the school children of New York City and retired police officers.