New Mexico considers retirement ‘double dipping’ for police

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Legislators are drafting a plan to ease restrictions against retired police officers coming back to work in an effort to add more officers across New Mexico in the midst of a labor shortage. At a legislative hearing Tuesday, retired police officer and state Rep. Bill Rehm of Albuquerque outlined a proposal for changes to reemployment provisions for retired police to incentivize a return to work. He said officers might continue to draw on pension benefits or wait for a bigger payout later. New Mexico’s governor wants to deploy 1,000 more police officers amid public frustration with crime.