Tucson Unveils Generous Retirement Bonuses for Police and Firefighters

Tucson officials are preparing to offer substantial incentives aimed at encouraging early retirement for police and fire department personnel. Up to 35 employees could benefit from a cash bonus of $50,000 as part of the city’s new proposal.

During a recent study session, Mayor Jonathan Rothschild and City Manager Mike Ortega outlined the details of the incentive package, which also includes a sick-leave payout for 100% of accrued hours and a medical subsidy for health insurance premiums, lasting up to three years.

The initiative aims to “streamline operations and modify the workforce composition” in Tucson’s emergency services, as noted in Ortega’s memo. For the Police Department, eligibility is limited to higher-ranking positions—sergeants, lieutenants, captains, and assistant chiefs—capped at 10 sergeants and 13 commanders. In the Fire Department, captains, battalion chiefs, deputy chiefs, and assistant chiefs may participate, with a limit of 10 captains and two chiefs.

The projected costs for sick-leave payouts combined with the bonuses are estimated at about $65,083 per police employee and $82,498 for fire employees. The medical subsidy, priced at $28,800 per employee, pushes the total anticipated expense to roughly $2.5 million if 12 members from each department retire.

Ortega emphasized that the resulting vacancies could facilitate adjustments within the departments, specifically mentioning a shift towards civilian roles in some cases. He stated, “This is consistent with what we’ve talked about for about a year and a half, to really challenge vacancies across the board.” No immediate transitional plans for commissioned positions have been made; the strategy hinges on employee responses to the retirement offer.

While the first year may not yield savings, Ortega characterized the move as an investment for future efficiency. He highlighted the potential for hiring 12 entry-level officers to replace retiring personnel, estimating first-year savings of around $645,000 for the Police Department. Over time, both departments could see total savings near $1.1 million post-implementation of the plan.

Eligible employees will have a limited 10-day period to express their intent to retire, with the deadline set for July 1. Ortega acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding employee participation, revealing a cautious expectation regarding the plan’s uptake. He mentioned, “If not enough people sign up, I’ll have to go back to the budget to make up the savings.”

The Tucson Police Officers Association has not yet issued an official position regarding the incentive plan as discussions continue. The council will be updated post-sign-up period to clarify the adjustments regarding vacant positions.

Contact reporter Caitlin Schmidt at cschmidt@tucson.com or 573-4191. Twitter: @caitlinschmidt