The Hudson Valley has a long tradition and large population of local men and woman serving as police officers and in the military — sometimes both at the same time.
Suffern Police Officer Bill Simurra’s recent call to active combat duty in the Mideast created a pay and benefits controversy related to whether the Village should pay his full SPD salary for the full 90 days of his reserve service.
A benefits snafu involving military service leave and pay policy erupted this past week in The Village of Suffern related to Suffern Police Officer Bill Simurra, who has been called to active combat duty in the Mideast as a reserve tech sergeant with the U.S. Air Force.
At issue is the 30 day minimum full salary and benefits state mandate military leave policy vs. Suffern’s obligation to guarantee Simurra’s full $72,000 salary and benefits throughout his full 90 deployment.
Simurra’s military pay during deployment would be approximately $2000 per month — his village SPD pay would pay him $6000 per month plus benefits for the first 30 days. Thereafter, Simurra would be paid his reserve service wages by the military for the duration of his deployment.
Suffern Mayor Ed Markunas’ statement on the Village’s recent military service pay controversy. Click image to enlarge. Via Suffern Friends and Neighbors.
The Suffern PBA has taken issue with the Suffern Village Board’s decision, which made the 30 full pay determination at Monday’s board meeting. The PBA’s position appears to be one supporting that Simurra receive his full Suffern PD salary during his 90 day reserve service, or at least be paid the $4000 per month difference in salary he would lose while on active duty.
Some in the community have criticized Suffern’s decision to follow the military service minimum 30 full pay scale as financially penalizing Simurra.
The Suffern military service and pay controversy is also colored somewhat by NYPD Detective Joseph Lemm, an Air National Guard member killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan and buried last week.
A tribute to NYPD Detective Joseph Lemm, husband, father, American hero, cop & a super-man. We will #NeverForget https://t.co/REQOHrUGa7
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) December 30, 2015
In LoHud reporter Steve Lieberman’s coverage of the issue, Suffern Mayor Ed Markunas said that the Village is working to review and enact its military service policy and that Simurra may be eligible for retroactive payment when the review is complete.
Additionally, Markunas called the criticism “a bit overboard,” adding: “I know what this kid is going through. I was regular military and reserves.”
Ramapo Councilman and Suffern resident Patrick Withers appeared to state in the LoHud article that Simurra should receive his full Village pay and benefits while on active duty as Simurra would still be serving local taxpayers.
“Whether it’s the village of Suffern or overseas, this officer is still serving the taxpayers,” Withers said.
