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Nov 3, 2009 12:39 pm US/Eastern
Parker Focuses On Family In Retirement
NORTH MIAMI (CBS4) ―
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Bobby Parker started off his second day of retirement with a day at the park with his two-year-old granddaughter Kiersten.
CBS News
It's a much different and sweeter role for the former Miami-Dade Police Director; Bobby Parker started off his second day of retirement with a day at the park with his two-year-old granddaughter Kiersten.
"This is new for me. It's retirement; something I've never done before," Parker said at Pepper Park in North Miami.
On Friday, the Miami-Dade Police veteran of 33 years announced his retirement. He said it wasn't easy, but the tough economy and tougher budget cuts for the county played a huge role in his decision.
Parker's first day of retirement coincided with five percent cuts across the board for non-union county workers; those cuts would have eaten into his $241 thousand annual pay and benefit package as well as his retirement package.
"If you're comparing to stay at a five percent pay decrease or retiring at salary and gaining every year a three percent increase in terms of cost of living, so when you look at the total picture it is a simple deduction to go ahead and retire and not take a significant hit in terms of pay," Parker explained.
Miami-Dade Police Assistant Director Jim Loftus will be the interim Police Director until Mayor Carlos Alvarez names a permanent replacement.
As for Parker, he feels there are many within the department qualified to fill his seat. He filled that role for five years, but is now ready to tackle on something new: that of a family man.
The former police director says for now, he plans to spend time with his family. If he ever goes back into the workforce, he said would consider a management position in law enforcement.
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