Benson, chief for three years, enrolled in a retirement program five years ago. The deferred option plan allows police and firefighters with 20 years experience to retire but continue working for up to five more years. The retirement pay during those five years is deferred into a pension fund while the firefighters finish out the time collecting their regular salaries.
At the end of the five years, all firefighters including the chief are prohibited from firefighting anywhere in the state.
He will be forced to retire in the spring at age 48.
``I've always asked, 'Why? What are the thoughts to doing this?''' Benson said. ``I think it's ridiculous to not keep your experienced help in the state of Oklahoma.''
He said he enrolled in the retirement program so he could seek a fire chief's job out of state. He felt he would not have an opportunity to be chief in Oklahoma City.
Soon after Benson enrolled in the deferred retirement plan, Chief Gary Marrs retired and Benson was interviewed for the job.
``If I had owned a crystal ball, I certainly would not have gotten on the plan because of the restrictions,'' Benson said. ``But starting in this job, I did know I had a limit of five years that would leave me with three years as chief.''
The five-year period ends March 31. Benson said he's hoping to stay on the job through then but is interviewing soon in the Houston suburb of The Woodlands.
``It will be a big loss,'' said Assistant City Manager M.T. Berry, himself a former police chief. ``Any time you lose the head of an organization, that leaves a void that's got to be filled.''
Benson wouldn't have to leave if he were enrolled in the same retirement plan as a police chief. The rule that prohibits retired firefighters from working again for an Oklahoma department exempts police officers, who can be rehired as a civilian employee to become police chief.
Mike Anderson, president of the International Association of Firefighters Local 157, acknowledged Benson's plight but said firefighters don't want the rules changed.
``There are mixed emotions about it statewide,'' Anderson said. ``There's a lot of resentment and resistance because the guys mainly feel that when it's time to go, it's time to go and get somebody else in.''
