Mullica Officer Sarraf Keeps His Job

MULLICA TOWNSHIP — The veteran township police officer suspended because health conditions prevented him from working late shifts will keep his job and pension, his lawyer said Friday.

An administrative hearing had been scheduled for Officer Paul "P.J." Sarraf at 10 a.m. Friday, and he had asked it be public.

But the hearing never happened. Instead, a crowd of supporters waited in Township Hall for two hours, as lawyers for both sides discussed the case with the hearing officer and police Chief John Thompson.
 Just before noon, Sarraf's PBA attorney Christopher A. Gray told the crowd an agreement had been reached that will keep Sarraf on the job with some accommodation for his medical needs. The crowd burst into applause.

"I'm relieved. It's finally over," said Sarraf, who has been enrolled in the state pension system since 2000 and makes an annual salary of $83,916, according to state records.

"I am pleased we were able to reach an agreement today that keeps an experienced officer in our department. The only unfortunate thing about this resolution is that it took these past few months to get here," said Thompson. "I was hopeful it could have been resolved earlier, but am glad we are able to move forward now."

Gray said Sarraf will mostly work a noon-to-8 p.m. shift. It covers the end of one regular shift and the beginning of another. He can be asked to work 4 p.m.-to-midnight shifts up to 36 times a year if needed, said Gray.

The department's regular rotation changes shifts every three months. The three shifts are midnight to 8 a.m., 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and 4 p.m. to midnight, said Gray.

Sarraf will no longer have to be in the rotation, said Gray. He will never have to work the overnight shift.

Gray said a previous offer made by the town was similar but was "dependent upon reaching a staffing level they will not reach." 

Sarraf's new schedule starts when he returns to work Nov. 1, regardless of staffing levels.

Gray said Sarraf's doctor must sign off on the agreement for it to be final. He said the doctor has indicated he will do so.

Sarraf said he was grateful for the community support.

"Some people took off work today to come here for me. That's awesome," he said.

 "It brought me to tears," said Sarraf supporter Maryann Wyld, of Mullica, who said she was very happy with the decision. "My son is a police officer. The stuff they have to go through and see is awful."

Sarraf said he was diagnosed with sleep apnea in 2015 and has been trying since then to not have to work overnight or many late shifts. 

He said he filed an Americans with Disabilities Act complaint that resulted in an agreement to try working a permanent 4 p.m.-to-midnight shift, but then his health problems got worse.

Thompson suspended Sarraf with pay and intent to dismiss Sept. 17, and the 19-year officer could have lost his pension and benefits had the hearing gone against him.

His wife, Barbara Sarraf, has said her husband would only get back what he has paid into the pension system if he loses his job before 20 years on the job. If he works for 20 years, he can collect 50 percent of his pension upon retirement, but no health benefits. Only if he works for 25 years can he collect his full retirement and medical benefits, she has said.

https://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/crime/police/mullica-cop-with-sleep-apnea-will-keep-job-and-pension/article_ed388341-1107-5a95-ae86-f7216010df0a.html

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