Troop 3
April Update
By J. Smith
Apr 13, 2006, 15:48

I have received numerous concerns over the current change within the annual leave carry over which is contained within House Bill 4172. After reviewing the bill concerning the change I am of the opinion that the same individuals that produced some of our policies must now be writing these changes concerning our annual leave. They have taken a simple issue concerning our annual leave and made it a very confusing issue. One statement that clearly sticks out within this bill is that a trooper's annual leave cannot exceed the amounts permitted to be carried over as provided for by the state of West Virginia for state employees who are covered by the rules of the West Virginia Division of Personnel. I do not think that they put much thought into this. I'm almost sure that the particular issues such as the annual leave that was allowed to be accrued was increased in order for the department to provide the citizens of the state the protection and law enforcement that was expected and needed with the small numbers of troopers that exist. At some point when everyone is going to be forced to take the annual leave or face losing your leave, the only people that this is going to effect is the coverage throughout the State. 

These changes are also going to effect our benefits upon retirement but appear to be in line historically with the continuing decline of benefits that we will receive upon retirement. (They are requiring us to work longer, receive less, and now shorten any PEIA medical insurance that you may have been eligible to receive). "Sounds enticing to me".  If you were enrolled with the PEIA insurance prior to July 1, 1998 with continued coverage, you could exchange two days of annual leave or sick leave for one month of single coverage or three days of leave for one month of family coverage. If you were enrolled after July 1, 1988, the retiree may purchase four days of leave for single coverage or six days of annual leave or sick leave for one month of family coverage. And if you were enrolled within PEIA after July 1, 2001 you are not eligible to use accrued annual and sick leave towards the purchase of health insurance. There is a continuing decline with our benefits.

The current bill is reducing the amount of annual leave that may be carried over. This is a reduction within our benefits however small that it may appear at this time. With my enrollment with the PEIA, these twenty days of annual leave that I would have been able to exchange for health coverage for my family would have provided me at least three months of health coverage that I am sure I will need at that point in life. I am going to look into this issue and just wanted to share my thoughts on the issue. If you have any questions feel free to contact me.

On a good note, on 04/10/06, Sgt Calvin Alton who is currently stationed at the Glenville Detachment was able to save the life of an eighteen year old that had crashed her vehicle into a river within Gilmer County where it overturned and trapped the subject within the vehicle for about an hour. Good Job.