LMPD Public Integrity Unit is investigating Councilwoman Barbara Shanklin

The 64 hour thing is true, but do some checking to make sure:

I retired at the end of November last year, which just happened to be right around the time those 64 hour holiday checks come out for everyone (who doesn't opt out).

Our contract specifies that of the vacation time sold back by a member who is separating (I think that's the term used), 64 hours of the total vacation time sold back shall be a separate check, with hazardus duty pay taken out, which in fact does go toward your pension.

I'm not sure if there's a cutoff date to retire which makes a person eligible for both this 64 hour "pension eligible" check, AND the "regular" 64 hour holiday payout check.

In my case, since I stayed until the end of November, I would have received the 64 hour holiday check whether I retired or remained...I'm not 100% sure if that would have been the case had I left, in say the end of July.

Anyone getting their ducks lined up to retire pretty much already knows this advice, but I'll throw it out there: ABSOLUTELY go see the ladies in LMPD HR when your a few months' out from retiring, so they can double-check your v-time balance, and project how much (if any) time you'll have to burn so you don't lose any beyond what will be bought back. I did that and had it down to the minute (almost), but after I got the checks from Metro following retirement, I realized they shorted me about 60 hours' worth...called B. Morrison and she got it fixed, so make sure your math matches what Metro actually does when you leave!