Ex-president of city police sergeants union files retirement papers

Embattled Edward Mullins, who quit as head of the Sergeants Benevolent Association after the FBI raided his Port Washington home and union offices this week, put in for retirement Wednesday from the NYPD, according to the department.

In an internal Finest Message, the NYPD said Mullins, a nearly 40-year veteran, filed for retirement with the Pension Board on Oct. 6 with an effective date of Nov. 5.

The message, a copy of which was obtained by Newsday and confirmed by the NYPD, also lists other officers filing for retirement in the normal course of business.

Neither Mullins nor his attorney could be immediately reached for comment late Thursday.

News of Mullins' retirement came two days after the FBI conducted raids on the SBA offices and Mullins' home. The focus of the investigation, conducted with the NYPD's internal affairs unit, hasn’t been disclosed by federal authorities.

Tuesday, the SBA executive board put out a notice saying that Mullins, union chief for 20 years, was apparently the subject of the investigation and that he had been asked to submit his resignation, which he did that night.

Since resigning, Mullins was technically no longer excused from regular police duties. But he was placed on modified desk duty, with his gun and badge pulled.

It was unclear how much of a pension Mullins would receive. As a sergeant with nearly four decades on the books, Mullins likely earned a salary of about $120,000 a year, according to department sources and online salary charts.

Normally, cops earn a pension that is the equivalent of half their salary when they retire after 20 years service, assuming they pay into the system regularly. For each additional year over 20 years they earn an extra 1/60th of the salary. One former NYPD official said that it is likely that Mullins will get close to his full salary in retirement, plus $12,500 a year defined benefit during each year of retirement.

It is uncertain whether the NYPD will complete a departmental trial of Mullins before he leaves on charges he publicized personal arrest information about Mayor Bill deBlasio’s daughter Chiara when she was arrested during a demonstration. Mullins said he only released information that was already available online and in the public domain. The trial was delayed because Mullins’ attorney had a medical emergency.

By Anthony M. DeStefano

tony.destefano@newsday.comtonynewsday

Anthony M. DeStefano has been a reporter for Newsday since 1986 and covers law enforcement, criminal justice and legal affairs from its New York City offices.