The Minneapolis police officer charged with the murder of George Floyd could receive a multimillion-dollar pension even if he's convicted, US media reports.
Derek Chauvin has been the subject of international anger after footage emerged of him kneeling on Mr Floyd's neck for around nine minutes, despite Mr Floyd repeatedly saying "I can't breathe".
Mr Chauvin was subsequently fired from the Minneapolis Police Department and charged with second-degree murder.
But, according to CNN, Mr Chauvin is still in line for a sizeable and partially taxpayer-funded pension due to laws in the state of Minnesota, where Mr Floyd's death occurred.
The Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association told the network the 44-year-old would remain eligible to file for his pension as early as age 50, though it did not say the specific amount he would receive.
While some US state laws allow for the forfeiture of pensions for employees convicted of felonies related to their work, this is not the case in Minnesota.
"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," an MPERA spokeswoman told CNN.
Mr Chauvin’s benefits could stretch to $2.2 million AUD or more over a 30-year period, according to CNN analysis. Mr Chauvin's attorney declined to comment on the matter when approached by the network.
The death of Mr Floyd has sparked weeks of anti-racism and police brutality protests in the United States and in other countries across the world, including Australia.
The three other Minneapolis police officers present at the time of Mr Floyd's death are also facing charges.
Two of those three officers were rookies, but CNN reports the third appears to still be eligible for pension payments.
