EDITORIAL

Pension? No problem

ALMOST anybody can get a disability pension out of the San Jose Police and
Fire Retirement Board. The latest example: Johnny Venzon Jr., who is in
jail awaiting trial on charges that he stole from people while on duty as a
San Jose cop.

Venzon's non-service-related disability is a gambling addiction. Because of
it, doctors say, he cannot be a police officer any more.

Well, maybe. Maybe not. Someone with, say, a drug addiction certainly
couldn't be a cop; judgment would be impaired, and taking drugs is illegal.
But it's possible for a gambling addict to function as a police officer,
particularly if he's getting help. (Venzon was offered help by the
department and refused.)

Venzon is in trouble not because he gambled on his own time, but because
he's accused of trying to make up for his losses while on duty by, for
instance, rifling dead bodies for jewelry. It's that, not his gambling,
that got him fired.

The three retirement board members who voted for the pension said they felt
sorry for his wife and six kids. That's understandable, but should family
need be a reason for granting disability? Besides, there's no way to
legally require this money to go to Venzon's wife. It will go to Venzon,
and he can do anything he wants with it when he gets out of jail.

Disability pensions long have been up for grabs in San Jose. It's an easy
supplementary income for anybody with the slightest problem who wants to
try a new career. Add gambling to the list of excuses.

Checked-by: Pat Dolan