Latrobe's settlement with retiring former police dog handler includes $100K in payments

Latrobe will pay newly retired police Sgt. Robert Derk roughly $100,000 to cover unused benefits and to settle labor-related claims he’s filed against the city, including disputed overtime pay for his role as the city’s police dog handler.

The settlement also resolves a grievance he filed over his loss of the K-9 role.

Part of the retirement settlement will reimburse Derk for $17,500 in expenses related to the care and feeding of the similarly retired police dog, Zeus. Of that amount, $10,000 is for constructing a fenced enclosure for the dog at Derk’s home.

The city released the terms of the settlement to TribLive on Thursday, in response to a Right-to-Know Law request.

Council approved the settlement at its Dec. 9 meeting but did not disclose details at that time. Derk signed the agreement that day while city officials signed the following day.

Derk’s retirement, with an honorable discharge, took effect on Tuesday. He indicated to TribLive on Thursday that he is satisfied with the terms but said he could not comment further on the settlement.

He said Zeus now is serving in a volunteer capacity with Ligonier Township Volunteer Fire Department No. 1 in Waterford, where Derk serves as president and a first lieutenant.

Zeus is “doing community service with the fire department and me,” Derk said. “He’s living a good life in retirement.”

Plans are for Zeus to accompany firefighters on safety education visits with local elementary students and to help with the department’s public relations and recruitment efforts. Zeus was on hand for a Ligonier- area National Night Out event in August.

The settlement is meant to resolve any claims Derk has or may have against the city and its officials while noting there has been no determination on the merits of the claims.

The agreement is intended to “avoid additional cost and the uncertainty of litigation.”

Among Derk’s claims the settlement clears away are: a grievance he filed for alleged “removal of the K-9 officer without just cause in violation of the collective bargaining agreement;” a claim for overtime back pay as the police dog’s handler; and an unfair labor practice charge filed with the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board.

Latrobe Council voted in July to terminate its K-9 program and to retire Zeus from duties with the city force. City officials said the German shepherd, at more than 8 years old, had reached the average retirement age for police dogs and was being used less frequently on police investigations.

From the time he joined the force, in November 2017, through August 2018, Zeus was used more than 50 times. He was credited with detecting more than $5,000 worth of narcotics and assisting with five apprehensions.

From April 2023 through June 4, Zeus was used for just three police investigations and four public relations events, according to police Chief Richard Bosco.

It was costing about $35,000 annually to operate the K-9 program, Bosco said.

Zeus succeeded Derk’s previous police dog, Rocky, who developed an untreatable form of cancer and died after being retired.

In addition to the money allotted for continued care of Zeus, the settlement provides Derk, less tax withholding: a one-time payment of $21,590, for alleged lost overtime pay; $7,911, for unused compensatory time; $2,918, for unused vacation; $50,160, for unused sick leave.

His pension benefits, according to an early retirement option, are set to begin on Feb. 1, 2026. It will include an estimated monthly payment of slightly more than $4,800.

The city will continue to provide Derk health insurance until he is eligible for Medicare.