JERSEY CITY – Recently-retired Jersey City Deputy Police chief Peter Nalbach will receive a 565,797 payout from city taxpayers for 754 unused sick leave days, according to a report by NJ.com.

Nalbach is among several senior Jersey City Police Department brass who retired effective June 1. In total, these retirees, who include former JCPD Chief Thomas Comey, will collectively receive almost $1.3 millon in terminal leave payouts for unused sick days.

According to NJ.com, Comey will receive $170,384 for 215.5 for his unused sick days, on top of the $26,496 Comey already received when he cashed in some of his unused time. But the ex-chief’s payout is dwarfed by the $306,604 city taxpayers will have to fork over to Robert Kilduff, another deputy chief, for his 419 unused sick days, according to NJ.com. Former Deputy Chief Hugh Donaghue will receive $252,768 for 344 unused sick days

These payouts are just the beginning.

As previously reported, between June 1 and the end of the year, at least 27 deputy chiefs, captains, sergeants, detectives, and senior police officers are expected to retire. These individuals have already filed the paperwork necessary to retire. According to estimates from the city, residents will have to pay between $4.5 million to $5.4 million to cover the retirement benefits owed to these 27 retirees.

Mayor-elect Steven Fulop, who gets sworn in on July 1, has vowed to audit all unused leave days and payout requests from these retiring officers. – E. Assata Wright