Derek Chauvin: Officer still eligible for pension worth approximately $1m – partially paid for by taxpayers

‘Any changes to current law would need to be done through the legislative process,” says Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association spokeswoman

Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer charged with killing George Floyd, could still receive up to $1m (£797,000) in pension benefits, even if he is convicted of the felony crime.

Mr Chauvin was charged with killing Mr Floyd last month, after footage emerged of him kneeling on the 46-year-old’s neck for nearly nine minutes, while he detained him.

He was fired from the Minneapolis Police Department, along with the three other officers at the scene, after footage of the incident was posted online.

Mr Chauvin was originally charged with third degree murder and manslaughter, but after a week of protests, his charge was upgraded to second degree murder and manslaughter.

However, the former police officer will still be entitled to his pension benefits, even if he is convicted of killing Mr Floyd, according to CNN.

The Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association confirmed to CNN that Mr Chauvin would still be eligible for his pension, even if he was convicted.

The outlet reported that in Minnesota, state laws do not allow those who have been convicted of a felony crime, that was related to their work, to lose their pension.

They can be forfeited, but only by the individual, if they decide to receive a refund of the contributions they have made up until that point.

Police pension benefits in the state are partially funded by taxpayers, as they are made up of contributions from local governments, that are funded by the public, and from the individual.

Mr Chauvin could start benefiting from as early as 50-years-old, and the benefits could add up to $1.5m (£1.2m), if Mr Chauvin decided to take them over a 30 year period, according to the outlet.

A spokeswoman for the board, told the outlet: “Neither our Board nor our staff have the discretion to increase, decrease, deny or revoke benefits.

“Any changes to current law would need to be done through the legislative process.”