Metro

Bratton defends letting disgraced cops retire with pension

Police Commissioner Bill Bratton defended the practice of giving out pensions to scandal-scarred NYPD officers on Thursday, insisting it would be unfair to their families to take them away.

“A pension is also earned by the family, a family of that person who is at work and away from that family,” the top cop said during a press conference.

“So we have to think long and hard . . . Effectively you may be depriving the individual of the benefit of it, but you’re also depriving the wife, the children, family members, family members who might be significantly ill and needing medical attention, care.”

The Post reported earlier this week that Deputy Chief John Sprague and Inspector Peter DeBlasio, both of whom were placed on modified duty over corruption allegations, were quietly reinstated so they could retire with “Good Guy Letters,” which make it easier for ex- cops to obtain a carry permit and help them land new jobs.

Without addressing the reinstatement, Bratton said he’d rather they retire than continue collecting full salaries while on modified duty.

“Under the current law . . . they are entitled to file for retirement and retire,” he said.

“If they are to  retire, [I’d rather they] retire now rather than keeping them on the payroll where I can only use them on modified assignments.”

Deputy Commissioner of Legal Matters Larry Byrne said it’s ultimately not up to the top cop to decide whether they can retire with pensions or not.

“We can’t stop that . . . there’s no ability to deny them their pension or medical coverage absent a criminal conviction,” he said.