Waltham Police Chief Received Large Bonus While on Leave

Waltham Police Chief Thomas LaCroix received a large longevity bonus in 2012 as he remained on paid administrative leave from the department following charges he attacked his wife and her friend, according to the Boston Globe.

LaCroix, in November 2012, received a $16,814 longevity bonus paid to officers who have served at least 10 years with the department, according to the Boston Globe. The bonus was paid as a percentage of his $146,305 annual salary. Also, LaCroix could receive the bonus again this year if he stays on paid leave or is found not guilty at his upcoming trial, according to the Boston Globe.

In total, LaCroix earned $182,358 last year and has collected $46,177 this year as of March 20, 2013, according to the Globe.

LaCroix’s trial is scheduled to begin on June 20 at Concord District Court. He remains under house arrest and on GPS monitoring. After two previous postponements, LaCroix’s attorney, Thomas Drechsler, said his client wants to take the case to trial.

“My client wanted this trial to go forward as scheduled, but the judge heard both sides and allowed the postponement,” Drechsler said.

The trial was originally supposed to begin in February, but it was postponed to March 27 due to a scheduling conflict with the prosecutor. In mid-March, the trial was again rescheduled to June 20 due to another scheduling conflict.

More details.