Severance Pay for Police

UPDATED: This story initially called these payouts "severance packages" and identified them as part of the officers' contracts. This was inaccurate and we regret the error.

ST. PETE BEACH – When the city switches to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) next month, current officers will get payouts. 28 officers will receive payouts from the city of between $1,000 and $10,000, dependent on their length of service with the city. This includes 27 officers represented by the FOP (Fraternal Order of Police) union as well as Captain Dean Horianopoulos, who isn’t represented by the union. 

  City Commissioners voted to award Captain Horianopoulos $10,000 severance based on his length of service. City Manager Mike Bonfield assured the commission the police chief was also compensated separately.

  This does not affect their employment ability with the PCSO; each has a job offer from the PCSO at their present rate of pay. It also does not affect their pension.