Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin releases plan he says will fix state pension system

This is probably going to be how it is for many years to come. The old police departments had 20 year retirement that motivated officers more, didn't have fearful liberals running either department except for during Hamilton's time as chief when homicides surged but not as much as today, had civil service protection to shield district commanders from political whims, had detective units who were told to go make good arrests or return to the beat, had patrol COs who policed and had Lts and Captains who were promoted to command because they were good at policing rather than being a political kiss-@ss. Having 2 departments created an atmosphere of competition that encouraged activity. The departments rivalries kept people active and applied peer pressure to those who'd otherwise lay down. The only people allowed to lay down were those with gray in their hair who'd already set a retirement date and the ones sent to the couple districts where everyone laid down.

Even if a good chief comes into office and he gets a good command staff, the retire-at-67 Tier 3 plan isn't going to motivate people to work. Everyone will be too afraid of getting hurt which would bankrupt a lot of people who'd never get a good white collar job. Most of the smartest people with families are going to quit a few years into their career. I tell new people to look around for better opportunities before they get too old to find them or at least get a good degree in something useful outside policing.